Saudi Pro League Title Race Alive After Bento Errornewsline24

Al-Nassr were denied the chance to secure the Saudi Pro League crown when a stoppage-time own goal from Bento handed Al-Hilal a 1-1 draw at Al-Awwal Park. The result keeps the title race open, with Al-Nassr missing the opportunity to move eight points clear with only two games left.

The dramatic equaliser arrived eight minutes into second-half added time. A long throw dropped into Al-Nassr’s area, and Bento advanced to collect with no Al-Hilal attacker close. Bento collided with team-mate Inigo Martinez, the ball spun off Bento, and rolled over the line to stun the home crowd.

The draw means Al-Nassr still lead Al-Hilal, but cannot yet celebrate an 11th domestic championship in the Cristiano Ronaldo era. A win here would have given Al-Nassr an unreachable eight-point advantage. Instead, Al-Hilal stay within reach and retain a chance of overtaking their Riyadh rivals.

Al-Hilal now turn towards a crucial game in hand against Neom on Saturday. If Al-Hilal collect three points in that fixture, they can still claim the Saudi Pro League title by bettering Al-Nassr’s result on the final matchday, ensuring high tension across the closing weekend.

The match began with pressure from the visitors. Within four minutes, Karim Benzema broke through but shot too close to Bento, prompting visible frustration from visiting coach Simone Inzaghi on the touchline. After 19 minutes, Benzema headed in a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic cross, yet the goal was ruled out because the Serbian midfielder had strayed offside.

Al-Nassr struck first eight minutes before half-time. Marcelo Brozovic’s corner caused confusion in the Al-Hilal box, and the loose ball dropped for Mohamed Simakan. The defender met it with a clean volley, driving the ball into the bottom-left corner to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage and shift the momentum.

Saudi Pro League title race: missed opportunities from Al-Nassr and Ronaldo

Al-Nassr had chances to extend the lead before the interval. Kingsley Coman moved through on goal in first-half stoppage time but hit the post with only Yassine Bounou to beat. Soon after the restart, Ronaldo created Al-Nassr’s best second-half opening but failed to convert, leaving the margin at one goal.

With Al-Nassr unable to finish those chances, Al-Hilal pushed forward in search of at least a point. The visitors increased their attacking pressure, knowing a draw would keep the Saudi Pro League title race alive. When Al-Nassr substituted Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could only watch from the bench as control slowly shifted.

Saudi Pro League title race: statistics underline Al-Nassr frustration

Underlying numbers reflected Al-Nassr’s sense of disappointment at the final whistle. The hosts produced nine shots with a combined expected goals value of 1.4. Al-Hilal managed seven attempts with an xG total of 0.8, yet still emerged with a point after Bento’s costly mistake in added time.

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Al-Hilal also extend an impressive sequence in domestic competition. The team remain unbeaten in the Saudi Pro League this season. Across their last 19 Pro League meetings with other Riyadh clubs, Al-Hilal have suffered only one defeat, recording 12 wins and six draws over that stretch.

The 1-1 result leaves both sides still within reach of the Saudi Pro League title, though Al-Nassr retain the advantage. Al-Hilal’s unbeaten league run, the upcoming clash with Neom, and Bento’s late own goal combine to set up a tense finish, with the championship likely decided on the final matchday.