Match Report:
Lacazette brace secures milestone victory for NEOM S.C.

NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – August 29, 2025 – NEOM S.C. registered its first-ever historic victory in the Roshn Saudi League thanks to a brace from French striker Alexandre Lacazette, whose two goals secured all three points in a hard-fought match against Damac on Matchday 2 of the campaign.

After narrowly losing 1–0 to Al Ahli away from home in the opening round, NEOM S.C. bounced back following the international break, showing clear improvement and resilience.

First Half: Early Pressure and Breakthrough

NEOM S.C. signaled attacking intent from the first whistle, earning a corner within the opening minute that was cleared by the Damac defense.

In the 4th minute, Ali Al Asmari tested Damac’s goalkeeper with a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box.

New NEOM S.C. goalkeeper Luis Maximiano was called into action in the 7th minute, saving a shot from Damac’s Yakou Meïté – his first real test of the game.

The chances kept coming for NEOM S.C., and in the 10th minute, debutante Luciano Rodríguez went close, followed by Lacazette a minute later with a shot that was well saved.

Said Benrahma had a clear sight of goal in the 13th minute following another Al Asmari pass, but fired over.

Despite several free kicks, NEOM S.C. posed little direct threat on goal until Lacazette opened the scoring in the 30th minute, calmly finishing off a smart assist from Fares Abdi.

Damac responded with urgency but NEOM S.C.’s defense stood firm, ending the first half with a well-earned 1–0 lead.

Second Half: Drama and a Decisive Penalty

Damac equalized early in the second half through Jesús Medina, making it 1–1 and briefly shifting the momentum.

NEOM S.C. came close to reclaiming the lead in the 54th minute when Nathan Zézé met a cross from Benrahma with a header that drifted just wide.

A setback came in the 58th minute as Abdulmalik Al-Ayyeri was forced off due to injury and replaced by Mohammed Al Buraik.

NEOM S.C. kept pressing. Benrahma fired over in the 62nd minute, followed by missed chances from Luciano (65') and Koné (67').

In the 74th minute, substitute Ahmed Abdu almost put NEOM S.C. ahead after another dangerous ball from Fares Abdi, but the Damac keeper denied him.

Finally, in the 83rd minute, NEOM S.C. won a penalty after a period of sustained pressure. Lacazette calmly converted, restoring the lead with his second goal of the night.

Despite Damac’s late attempts to level the score, NEOM S.C. held firm until the final whistle, sealing their first-ever Roshn Saudi Pro League win and claiming a historic three points in the club’s debut season.