Cristiano Ronaldo goes viral as pep talk before taking free-kick spectacularly backfires and Al-Nassr suffer defeat

Cristiano Ronaldo gave himself a pep talk before a last‑gasp free kick that struck the wall as Al‑Nassr trailed Al‑Ittihad 2-1 in the King Cup of Champions. Betting impact: punters might be wary of backing Al‑Nassr for late comebacks or Ronaldo to convert set pieces — consider markets favoring Al‑Ittihad to hold or play the under on late goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Late Free‑Kick Flare Falls Short in King Cup Drama

Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to psych himself up before a last‑minute free kick — only to see his curler cannon into the defensive wall. The 40‑year‑old's animated self‑motivation was captured on camera as Al‑Nassr chased a revival while trailing Al‑Ittihad 2-1 in the King Cup of Champions.

Match Turning Point: Pressure Moments Define the Finish

With the clock winding down, Al‑Nassr pressed for an equaliser and earned a promising set piece. Ronaldo, ever the focal point in dead‑ball situations, stepped up and mouthed words of encouragement to himself before the strike. The effort lacked the desired accuracy and power, rebounding off the wall and extinguishing one of Al‑Nassr's clearest late chances.

Ronaldo's Influence Still Central, But Not Infallible

At 40, Ronaldo remains the go‑to option in decisive moments, yet this episode underlines that even the game's greats can misfire under pressure. The miss highlighted Al‑Nassr's reliance on moments of individual brilliance rather than sustained collective pressure to force a comeback.

Implications for Team Momentum and Tactics

Al‑Ittihad's ability to repel late set pieces will boost their confidence defensively and could influence how both teams approach late phases of future cup ties. Al‑Nassr may need to diversify their late‑game strategy, mixing quick combinations and set‑piece routines rather than depending solely on Ronaldo.

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Betting and Market Takeaways

Punters should note that reliance on a single player for late goals can skew odds. Markets to consider: - Back Al‑Ittihad to hold narrow leads or for match favourites to prevail when leading late. - Avoid heavy exposure to "Ronaldo to score from a free kick" unless odds are generous. - Consider under markets on late goal totals if a game is cagey and defended tightly.

What Fans and Bettors Should Watch Next

Monitor how Al‑Nassr alter their late‑game approach and whether Ronaldo continues to be the primary set‑piece taker. Defensive resilience from Al‑Ittihad suggests future matches could be tight, making value bets in low‑scoring and small‑margin markets worth exploring.

CRISTIANO RONALDO appeared to give himself a pep talk before taking a last-minute free kick - and firing his effort into the wall. Al-Nassr were losing 2-1 to Al-Ittihad in the King Cup of Champions when Ronaldo stepped up to take the free kick. The 40-year-old was caught on camera giving himself some words of...

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