Cristiano Ronaldo misses prove costly for Al-Nassr as Aleksandar Mitrovic equalises in 10th minute of stoppage time to preserve Al-Hilal’s unbeaten Saudi Pro League run.

Al-Nassr’s hopes for victory were dashed in dramatic fashion on Friday night as Aleksandar Mitrovic converted a controversial penalty deep into stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. The result maintains Al-Hilal’s unbeaten run in the league this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo, making his usual attacking presence felt, played a key role in Al-Nassr taking the lead early on. The Portuguese superstar found his compatriot Otavio with a pinpoint pass in the opening minute, and Otavio made no mistake, slotting the ball home to put the visitors ahead.

However, despite Ronaldo’s influence, Al-Nassr were unable to capitalize on their lead. The Serbian striker, Aleksandar Mitrovic, proved to be a constant threat for Al-Hilal, and his persistence paid off in the dying moments of the match. In the 10th minute of stoppage time, a controversial decision saw Sadio Mane judged to have fouled Saud Abdulhamid in the penalty area. Mitrovic stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick, snatching a vital point for the home side and extending their unbeaten record.

This dramatic late equalizer leaves Al-Nassr frustrated, having seemingly controlled much of the game. While Ronaldo’s assist showcased his playmaking abilities, his side was ultimately denied victory. The result keeps Al-Hilal at the top of the table, 12 points clear of their rivals.

The controversial penalty decision is sure to spark debate in the coming days. However, the focus will undoubtedly remain on the thrilling finale and Al-Hilal’s remarkable unbeaten run, which they will look to extend in their next match.