Ronaldo’s Penalty Miss Sends Al-Nassr Crashing Out of King’s Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of clinching a King’s Cup title with Al-Nassr were dashed as he missed a last-minute penalty, sealing a 0-1 defeat to Al Taawoun in the tournament’s Round of 16. The Portuguese star, known for his precision in high-pressure situations, saw his shot soar over the crossbar in stoppage time, eliminating the chance to push the match into extra time. His frustration was palpable as he walked off with his head in his hands, surrounded by stunned Al-Nassr fans and disappointed teammates.

The upset began in the 71st minute when Al Taawoun’s defender Waleed Al-Ahmed scored from a well-executed corner kick, putting the visitors ahead. Al-Nassr, unable to break through a solid Al Taawoun defense, saw only a few scoring opportunities throughout the match. Al-Ahmed’s decisive header had been nearly followed by a second goal for Al Taawoun, adding to the mounting pressure on Ronaldo’s side. The drama peaked when Al-Ahmed fouled Al-Nassr’s Mohammed Maran in the box, setting up Ronaldo with a golden chance to equalize.

However, the moment that could have saved Al-Nassr’s cup campaign slipped away when Ronaldo’s penalty missed its mark. The 39-year-old had previously come close to scoring with a well-placed free kick that forced a crucial save from Al Taawoun’s goalkeeper Mailson, who also stopped a third-minute attempt by Anderson Talisca. Mailson’s performance proved to be a cornerstone of Al Taawoun’s unexpected victory, frustrating Al-Nassr’s attackers and keeping a clean sheet under intense pressure.

Now, with their King’s Cup hopes over, Ronaldo and Al-Nassr will turn their attention back to the Saudi Pro League, where they remain in contention for the title. Their next test comes Friday in a critical clash against league leaders Al Hilal. As Ronaldo refocuses on his league campaign, Al-Nassr’s supporters hope their star can deliver and drive the team toward silverware in a domestic season still brimming with potential.