Al-Taawoun defeated Al-Nassr 1-0 at Al-Awwal Park in a closely fought Round of 16 match in the King Cup of Champions. Waleed Al-Ahmed used a defensive breakdown in the 71st minute to score the only goal for the game.
Al-Nassr couldn’t reach the back of the net, therefore managing just five shots on target while controlling 65% of the possession and collecting 15 strokes. Al-Taawoun’s disciplined defence was strong; they ended the game with three yellow cards but celebrated a well-earned victory, therefore excluding the hosts from the competition and advancing to the quarterfinals.
Cristiano Ronaldo Speaks on Al-Nassr’s Disappointing Loss To Al-Taawoun
Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed penalty hit a fan and reportedly broke his phone during Al-Nassr vs Al-Taawoun in the Kings Cup RO16
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a stoppage-time penalty, and Al-Nassr was eliminated from the King’s Cup in a 1-0 loss to Al-Taawoun on Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo shot the ball over the bar and it went straight into the crowd, where it directly hit a fan who was recording from his mobile. Ronaldo, known for his shot power reportedly broke the fan’s phone after it was seen in the air during the incident.
The five-time Ballon D’Or winner has yet to win a major trophy since signing for the club almost two years ago.
Playing at the round-of-16 stage of Saudi Arabia’s premier knockout competition, Al-Taawoun took the lead on Waleed Al-Ahmad’s header with 20 minutes remaining. Al-Ahmad was then whistled for a foul in the area in the 95th minute.
Ronaldo had converted all 18 of his previous penalties for Al-Nassr but this time shot over the bar to the shock of the home crowd of 14,519.
The defeat is the first for Stefano Pioli since the Italian succeeded Luis Castro as head coach in September.
Ronaldo and Al-Nassr still have two chances at silverware this season but are already six points behind leader Al-Hilal after eight games of the Saudi Pro League and have seven points from three games in the group stage of the Asian Champions League.