• Bento’s late error puts Ronaldo’s entire Al Nassr project under serious pressure
• Own goal in Riyadh Derby denies title and shifts league momentum back to Al Hilal

A costly mistake by Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento Matheus has denied his team and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo a near-certain Saudi Pro League title, just seconds before the end of the Riyadh Derby against Al Hilal.

The decisive error came when Bento failed to deal with a throw-in from Ali Lajami, inadvertently diverting the ball into his own net. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, delaying Al Nassr’s long-awaited title triumph and leaving fans in visible frustration.

Psychological impact ahead of Asian final

The shock of the late equalizer visibly affected Ronaldo, who appeared frustrated and left Al-Awwal Park immediately after the final whistle without approaching the stands to thank supporters, as is customary.

Read also: Riyadh Derby heats up: last-gasp draw pushes title decision to final round

The emotional setback comes just days before the AFC Champions League 2 final against Japan’s Gamba Osaka on Saturday, with the derby result placing additional pressure on Ronaldo and his teammates as they head into the continental showdown on a low note. Coach Jorge Jesus now faces the challenge of restoring the squad’s mental readiness after the costly lapse.

League race and Ronaldo’s strategic project

Bento’s mistake has put Ronaldo’s entire project at Al Nassr under scrutiny, after the forward had come close to securing validation through a league title.

The Portuguese star’s project—strengthened after renewing his contract last summer—has been built on a revamped sporting structure, including compatriots José Semedo as CEO, Simão Coutinho as sporting director, and Jorge Jesus as head coach, all aimed at delivering his first trophy with the club and ending the team’s domestic title drought since the 2018–19 season.

Pressure of decisive fixtures

Following Bento’s failure to protect the lead, Al Nassr now faces another crucial league fixture against Damac, a side fighting to avoid relegation.

The match represents a significant psychological burden for Ronaldo, who has experienced similar setbacks in high-pressure moments this season, including defeats against Qadsiah and Al Shabab.

Al Nassr now has no option but to win against Damac to keep their title hopes alive and avoid handing the championship to Al Hilal, making the success or failure of Ronaldo’s project heavily dependent on the team’s ability—and particularly Bento’s recovery from his costly mistake.