Ronaldo penalty miss ends Al-Nassr's Kings Cup ambition

Al Nassr's season in the King's Cup is officially over after they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Al-Taawoun in the Round-of-16 of the competition.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains in wait of his first major trophy at Al-Naasr, and he will have himself to blame for the disappearing of this avenue for silverware, after he missed a penalty late in the game that would have earned his side a fighting chance.

The first half was a lackluster affair, with neither side able to take carrying any threat. Al-Nassr’s superstars soon began to show their superiority; Ronaldo's direct free-kick, expertly palmed away by Mailson dos Santos, was the pick of the bunch. 

Al-Taawoun stuck to their game plan, allowing Stefano Pioli’s side the bulk of possession, hence carrying the greater threat on the counter, and only Mohamed Simakan's last-ditch tackle prevented them from taking a halftime lead.

Al Nassr improved in the second-half, with Ronaldo taking the game by the scruff of its neck. While the Faris Najd managed to look livelier, they failed to deal a telling blow.

Almost against the run of play, Al-Taawoun caught Al-Nassr napping from a corner, and Waleed Al-Ahmed struck the opener. As time ebbed away, Al-Nassr belatedly displayed urgency. 

In a dramatic twist, they earned a stoppage-time penalty, but Ronaldo's spot-kick sailed over the crossbar, condemning his side to a stunning defeat.