Al-Nassr FC were denied the chance to seal the Saudi Pro League title after a dramatic stoppage-time own goal from goalkeeper Bento Krepski handed Al-Hilal SFC a crucial 1–1 draw at Al-Awwal Park.
A victory would have given Al-Nassr an unassailable eight-point lead and secured the club’s first league title of the Cristiano Ronaldo era. Instead, Al-Hilal remain mathematically alive in the title race.
Al-Hilal nearly stunned the home crowd within four minutes, but Karim Benzema failed to beat Bento from close range, prompting an animated reaction from visiting coach Simone Inzaghi on the touchline.
Benzema thought he had put Al-Hilal ahead later in the half after converting a cross from Sergej Milinković-Savić, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
The breakthrough eventually came in the 37th minute when defender Mohamed Simakan reacted quickest following a corner from Marcelo Brozović, volleying home amid a crowded penalty area.
Al-Nassr had opportunities to extend their lead before the break, with Kingsley Coman striking the post, while Ronaldo squandered a promising chance shortly after halftime.
Knowing defeat would effectively end their title hopes, Al-Hilal pushed relentlessly in the closing stages.
Their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time after a long throw caused chaos inside the Al-Nassr box. Bento came out to collect the ball but collided with teammate Iñigo Martínez, inadvertently turning the ball into his own net in the final action of the game.
The dramatic equaliser leaves the Saudi Pro League title race alive heading into the closing weeks of the season, with Al-Nassr still leading but no longer in control of an immediate coronation.
