Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty miss meant Al-Nassr exited the King’s Cup in the Round of 16 on Tuesday. (Reuters/Screengrab)
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a last-gasp chance for an equaliser from the penalty spot as Al-Nassr exited the King’s Cup with a shock 0-1 loss to Al Taawoun in the Round of 16 on Tuesday evening.
Ronaldo fluffed a golden chance to level the game deep in the 96th minute, in stoppage time, and push the tie into extra-time. The Portuguese superstar sent the ball sailing over the bar into the stands before walking away from the penalty spot clutching his head.
Visitors Al Taawoun stunned the home fans when defender Waleed Al-Ahmed turned in a corner in the 71st minute. Though Al Taawoun came close to doubling their lead, Waleed Al-Ahmed’s heroic moment briefly faded away when he tackled down Al-Nassr’s Mohammed Maran inside the box to hand Ronaldo a golden penalty opportunity.
رونالدووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووووو#النصر_التعاون pic.twitter.com/tW3Td4vNwk
— كورة | Alnassr 📽️ (@BLLvid) October 29, 2024
The former Real Madrid talisman’s blip meant that Ronaldo missed out on the title in the third successive season, having finished runners-up behind Al-Hilal. Ronaldo’s only other major chance of the game arrived in the dying moments of the second half. The 39-year-old took a free kick, aiming for the goalkeeper’s side, but Mailson produced another fine save to deny him.
Earlier in the third minute, Al Nassr came close to opening the scoring. Anderson Talisca, receiving the ball inside the penalty area, fired a shot towards goal. However, Mailson made a fine save to keep the scores level.
Ronaldo will now focus on the Saudi Pro League which resumes on Friday, as Al Nassr take on league leaders, Al Hilal.
