Match Report:
Late drama sees Al Taawoun equalize deep in injury time

NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – November 23, 2025 – NEOM S.C. returned with a valuable point from their away match against Al Taawoun in the ninth round of the Saudi Roshn League, after the two sides drew 1–1 at Al Taawoun Stadium in Buraydah.

NEOM S.C. came very close to securing all three points after Said Benrahma scored in the dying moments, before Al Taawoun managed to equalize.

With this draw, NEOM S.C. raised their tally to 14 points and now sit in 8th place in the league standings.

Coach Christophe Galtier entered the match with a starting lineup that included: Luís Maximiano in goal; in front of him Abdulmalik Al Oyayari, Khalifah Al Dawsari, Nathan Zézé, and Fares Abdi; in midfield Amadou Koné, Abdoulaye Doucouré, Abdulaziz Nour, Said Benrahma, and Saïmon Bouabré; with Ahmed Abdu leading the frontline.

First Half

An early attempt came from Said Benrahma in the opening moments of the match, but it did not find success. The first few minutes carried no real danger from either side, aside from a few simple tries.

In the 18th minute, Al Taawoun’s Waleed Al Ahmad fired a shot from inside the box, but it went off target.

NEOM S.C responded two minutes later with an effort from Saïmon Bouabré, but the threat was cleared.

Play was frequently stopped due to mutual fouls from both teams, and in the 30th minute Abdoulaye Doucouré received a yellow card.

In the 38th minute, Ahmed Abdu tried to give NEOM S.C. the lead with a shot inside the box, but it missed the target, and the first half ended goal-less.

Second Half

In the 50th minute, Abdulaziz Nour unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, which the Al-Taawoun goalkeeper tipped out for a corner.

Maximiano made an excellent save in the 52nd minute, denying a strong effort from inside the box. NEOM S.C. created offensive chaos in the 55th minute and came close to scoring, but the ball ended up safely in Al Taawoun’s defensive line.

The second half witnessed clear improvement from NEOM S.C., who were the more aggressive and threatening team, creating multiple chances to break the deadlock.

NEOM S.C. earned a free kick near the penalty area, which Said Benrahma took in the 73rd minute, but it sailed high. In the 74th minute, Galtier brought on Lacazette as a substitute for Ahmed Abdu to strengthen the attack.

Maximiano again made a brilliant save from an Al Taawoun set piece in the 87th minute near the edge of the box. The referee added eight minutes of stoppage time.

In the 92nd minute, after reviewing VAR, the referee awarded S.C. a penalty. Said Benrahma stepped up and calmly converted it, giving NEOM S.C. the 1–0 lead.

Following NEOM S.C.'s goal, Al Taawoun pushed hard for an equalizer, and they succeeded in the 17th minute of stoppage time when Waleed Al Ahmad headed in a cross to level the score.