Ronaldo’s Night of Misses
Ronaldo’s Night of Misses: Félix Saves Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating night as Al-Nassr defeated Neom 1-0 in the Saudi Pro League on October 20, 2026. The Portuguese superstar missed a penalty and squandered further scoring opportunities, but João Félix stepped up with a decisive second-half goal to secure three valuable points for his team.
The match marked Ronaldo’s return to club football after disciplinary action by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) following his departure from the national team camp. With attention already focused on his international future, the 41-year-old forward had an opportunity to respond on the pitch. However, the evening did not go according to plan.
Ronaldo Misses Penalty as Al-Nassr Struggle to Score
Ronaldo had a golden opportunity to open the scoring before half-time after Félix was fouled inside the penalty area. The Al-Nassr captain stepped up to take the spot-kick but sent his effort wide, leaving the score goalless at the break.
His difficulties continued after the restart. Ronaldo missed a close-range opportunity with the goal unguarded and failed to convert another promising chance, making it a particularly disappointing outing for the forward.
According to The National, the penalty miss was only Ronaldo’s fourth failure in 31 attempts from the spot for Al-Nassr. The missed opportunities also delayed his pursuit of the landmark of 1,000 career goals.
João Félix Delivers the Winning Moment
While Ronaldo struggled in front of goal, João Félix provided the decisive moment in the 61st minute. The Portuguese attacker struck from outside the penalty area after receiving the ball from Ângelo, beating the opposition goalkeeper to put Al-Nassr ahead.
Félix’s goal proved enough to settle the contest, as Al-Nassr held on for a 1-0 victory. His contribution ensured that Ronaldo’s missed penalty did not cost the team points in the league campaign.
The result highlighted the importance of Al-Nassr’s attacking depth. Although their most recognisable forward could not find the net, Félix’s quality made the difference when the team needed a breakthrough.
Ronaldo’s Portugal Suspension Adds to the Pressure
The match came amid controversy surrounding Ronaldo’s departure from Portugal’s national team camp. The Portuguese Football Federation initially imposed a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine after the forward left the squad during the international break following a disagreement over his role in the team.
Ronaldo had expressed frustration over his involvement in Portugal’s matches, while coach Jorge Jesus maintained his authority over team selection. The incident raised questions about the veteran forward’s relationship with the national team ahead of future international fixtures.
Subsequent reporting on October 21 indicated that Ronaldo’s punishment had been reduced following an appeal and the consideration of mitigating circumstances. The disciplinary episode nevertheless kept the forward in the headlines as he returned to club action.
For Al-Nassr, the immediate priority remains collecting points and staying in contention for the Saudi Pro League title. The 1-0 win over Neom provided a positive result, even though Ronaldo will be eager to put his missed chances behind him.
Félix emerged as the match-winner, while Ronaldo was left searching for a response after an unusually wasteful performance. As the season progresses, the Portuguese superstar will look to rediscover his scoring touch and move closer to the 1,000-goal milestone.
