Ronaldo’s Penalty Miss Stuns Al Nassr in King’s Cup Upset
Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty miss in the dying moments of Al Nassr’s King’s Cup clash against Al-Taawoun sent shockwaves through the football world. The Portuguese superstar, known for his impeccable penalty record, uncharacteristically sent the ball soaring over the bar, handing Al-Taawoun a stunning 1-0 victory.
Ronaldo’s penalty miss was the culmination of a frustrating evening for Al Nassr, who had struggled to break down a resolute Al-Taawoun defense. The visitors took the lead in the 70th minute through Waleed Al-Ahmad’s header, and despite Al Nassr’s desperate attempts to equalize, they were unable to find a way through.
In the 95th minute, Al-Ahmad was adjudged to have fouled an Al Nassr player in the penalty area, giving Ronaldo the chance to salvage a point for his team. However, the usually reliable penalty taker failed to convert, sending the ball high and wide.
The miss was a rare blemish on Ronaldo’s otherwise impressive record for Al Nassr. Since joining the Saudi Arabian club in January, he has scored eight goals in five league appearances, including a hat-trick in his debut.
Despite the setback, Al Nassr still have two trophies to compete for this season. They trail league leaders Al Hilal by six points in the Saudi Pro League and have seven points from three fixtures in the group stage of the Asian Champions League.
Al Nassr’s next match is a highly anticipated Riyadh derby against Al Hilal on Friday. Head coach Stefano Pioli has praised Ronaldo’s professionalism and work ethic, saying that the prospect of working with the Portuguese star was a major factor in him accepting the job.