Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Al Nassr’s journey in the King’s Cup came to an end in the Round of 16 following a 1-0 loss to Al Taawoun.
The match saw star player Cristiano Ronaldo miss a crucial penalty in stoppage time, allowing Al Taawoun to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
This defeat marked the first loss for Italian coach Stefano Pioli, who had previously enjoyed a string of victories since taking over the team from Portuguese coach Luis Castro.
It has been a challenging week for Al Nassr, as they also drew against Al Kholood in the Saudi Pro League, widening the gap between them and the league leaders, Al Hilal. This latest loss means that Al Nassr has exited two competitions this season, having previously been eliminated from the Super Cup.
The only goal of the match came from Walid Al Ahmad in the 71st minute, whose header found the back of the net and secured victory for Al Taawoun. Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s missed penalty denied Al Nassr a chance to equalize.
In Al Majma’ah, Al Fayha continued their journey in the King’s Cup, advancing to the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Al Arabi, a team from the first division. The decisive goal was scored by striker Renzo Lopez in the 42nd minute, contributing to Al Fayha’s rising form as they moved forward in the tournament.