'To Grow...': Cristiano Ronaldo Reflects on Al-Nassr's Disappointing Loss To Al-Taawoun in Kings Cup

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 advanced to the quarter-finals.

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Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after Al-Nassr gets knocked out by Al-Taawoun in the Kings Cup RO16

Cristiano Ronaldo expressed resiliency on social media after Al-Nassr's ouster against Al-Taawoun in the Kings Cup Round of 16. He uploaded a picture with the message, 

“Every challenge is an opportunity to grow,” stressing his will to grow from failures and keep developing his football career despite the loss. Turning 40 in 3 months, the icon has shown no signs of slowing down.

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.

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.

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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.

“Technically we performed well but we couldn’t win the game,” Pioli said. “We feel disappointed to be out of the cup. But we still have two trophies to go for and we will give our best in them.”

(With AP Inputs)