Match Report:
NEOM S.C. Holds Al Khaleej to a 1–1 Draw in Roshn Saudi League

NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – October 24, 2025 – NEOM S.C. secured a 1–1 draw against Al Khaleej in Round 6 of Roshn Saudi League, thanks to a goal from Uruguay forward Luciano Rodríguez in the 34th minute, taking NEOM’s tally to 10 points.

Head coach Christophe Galtier started the match with the following line-up: Luis Maximiano;  Abdulmalik Al Oyayari, Ahmed Hegazi, Nathan Zézé, Fares Abdi; Amadou Koné, Abbas Al Hassan, Saïmon Bouabré, Said Benrahma, Luciano Rodríguez; Alexandre Lacazette.

First Half

The visitors began the game strongly with an early shot in the first minute, saved by Maximiano, followed by another effort that went wide. NEOM S.C. responded in the 4th minute through a powerful attempt by Zézé after a precise pass from Benrahma.

Al Khaleej continued to threaten with chances in the 9th and 11th minutes, but NEOM S.C. defense remained composed. In the 15th minute, Nathan Zézé received the first yellow card of the match.

Al Khaleej opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Saleh Al Amri, who found the back of the net with a well-placed strike.

NEOM S.C. pushed forward seeking an equalizer with several quick attempts — notably a shot by Rodríguez and another by Koné in the 18th minute, which was blocked by Al Khaleej’s defense.

In the 22nd minute, France striker Alexandre Lacazette was shown a yellow card - NEOM S.C.’s second of the match.

NEOM S.C. kept pressing with shots from Al Hassan, saved by the goalkeeper, and another from Koné that went over the bar.

The 34th minute brought joy to NEOM S.C. as Rodríguez leveled the score after a fine exchange with Lacazette, calmly slotting the ball into the net.

Both sides traded attacks for the remainder of the half, which ended in a 1–1 draw.

Second Half

Team captain Hegazi was forced off due to injury early in the second half, prompting Galtier to bring on Khalifah Al Dawsari as his replacement.

Al Khaleej began the half with another early threat, but Maximiano was up to the task once again.

NEOM S.C. responded in the 53rd minute with a chance from Lacazette, denied by the Al Khaleej goalkeeper.

The game remained evenly balanced, with both teams sharing possession and offensive efforts in search of a winner. NEOM S.C. continued to push forward, and Galtier made several substitutions to boost attacking options, but none of the chances found the target.

The final whistle confirmed a 1–1 draw, as NEOM S.C. collected a valuable point from a tightly contested encounter