Match Report:
NEOM S.C. lose their match against Al Fateh by a single goal

NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – January 10, 2026– Matchday 14 of the Roshn Saudi League, as their points tally remained at 20. The match was played at King Khalid Sports City Stadium in Tabuk.

Head coach Christophe Galtier started the match with Luís Maximiano in goal; a back four of Khalifah Al Dawsari, Ahmed Hegazi, Nathan Zézé, and Fares Abdi; a midfield featuring Amadou Koné, Ali Al Asmri, Hassan Al Ali, Alaa Hejji, and Luciano Rodríguez; and Alexandre Lacazette leading the attack.

First Half

The opening minutes offered little in terms of danger, with play evenly balanced and no clear dominance from either side. In the 14th minute, NEOM S.C. produced the first real attacking effort when Hassan Al Ali delivered a cross that Al Fateh’s defense cleared before it could reach Lacazette. Two minutes later, Ahmed Hegazi attempted a header that was deflected out for a corner.

In the 21st minute, Maximiano denied a dangerous free kick from close range, pushing the ball away brilliantly for a corner. After 25 minutes, both teams were searching for an opening goal. NEOM S.C. came close through a perfectly weighted pass from Alaa Hejji that Luciano Rodríguez redirected just wide of the post.

In the 36th minute, Al Fateh broke the deadlock with a surprise long-range strike from outside the penalty area that found the back of the net, ending the first half with the visitors leading 1–0.

Second Half

NEOM S.C.’s intent to equalize was evident through early substitutions, as Said Benrahma and Ahmed Abdu came on in place of Alaa Hejji and Hassan Al Ali. NEOM S.C. increased their attacking threat and pressure, and in the 61st minute Ahmed Hegazi scored what appeared to be the equalizer. However, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside.

NEOM S.C. continued to control possession and dominate offensively, while Al Fateh relied on counterattacks to protect their lead. In the 73rd minute, Lacazette found the net after capitalizing on a scramble created by Benrahma and Luciano Rodríguez, but the goal was again ruled out for offside.

Khalifah Al Dawsari prevented a certain goal for Al Fateh in the 77th minute by blocking a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. NEOM S.C. launched wave after wave of attacks in search of an equalizer, most notably a header from Nathan Zézé that struck the crossbar, and a strong close-range effort by Amadou Koné that was saved by the Al Fateh goalkeeper.

In the eighth minute of stoppage time, NEOM S.C. created chaos inside the penalty area, with Said Benrahma firing a powerful shot that was superbly saved by the Al Fateh keeper. The match ended with Al Fateh securing a 1–0 victory.