Open-Net Night: Timbakti’s Miss Melts the Spotlight in the Saudi Pro League
4 April 2026
The Missed Open-Goal Shocker That Stunned a Nation
In a Saudi Pro League clash between Al Hilal and Al Taawoun on Saturday night, one of the season's strangest misses unfolded from a star of the Asian giants squad, leaving fans and pundits alike shaking their heads.
The moment came after a precise cross from Portugal's Ruben Neves, Al Hilal's midfielder, delivered from a direct free kick into the box.
After a calamitous misplay by the visitors' goalkeeper and sloppy defending by Al Taawoun, Hassan Timbakti found himself with an empty net in front of him, but blasted the ball wide and squandered a golden opportunity.
Following a sequence of near things, the moment became a talking point as Timbakti failed to convert what should have been a routine finish.
The miss sparked visible surprise in Timbakti and his teammates, with the Italian coach Simone Inzaghi appearing incredulous at what had just happened.
Ultimately, the moment remains one of the quirkiest in the match, proving that football never runs out of surprises, regardless of talent and chances.
Punchline 1: Even the goal net groaned not today, while the ball sailed away to the corner flag.
Punchline 2: If patience is a virtue, Timbakti just earned a doctorate in near misses and earned a seat on the highlight reel for all the wrong reasons.
