NEOM FC regained their footing and returned to winning ways in the Saudi Professional League, securing a resounding and well-deserved 3-0 victory over their guests, Damac FC. The match took place at King Khalid Sports City Stadium, as part of the 19th round of the competition, which has witnessed fierce competition this season.
General context and importance of the match:
The Saudi Professional League (SPL) enters a crucial phase, with all teams striving to achieve their goals, whether competing for the title or securing a mid-table position away from the complexities of relegation. Prior to this match, Neom was experiencing a period of inconsistent results, making a win essential to restore the confidence of the team and its fans and climb the standings. On the other hand, Damac was hoping for a positive result to escape the relegation zone, which threatened them with dropping to the First Division, thus adding extra importance to the match for both sides.
Details and events of the meeting:
Neom asserted their dominance from the opening minutes, displaying a clear desire to settle the match early. This pressure translated into a goal in the 23rd minute through French defender Nathan Zizi , who rose to meet a perfectly placed cross from his teammate Saïd Benrahma and powerfully headed it into the net. Before the end of the first half, Neom extended their lead with a second goal from the penalty spot. Veteran striker Alexandre Lacazette and confidently converted the penalty in the first minute of added time (45+1), giving his team a comfortable advantage going into halftime.
In the second half, Damac players tried to get back into the game, creating several chances, most notably a powerful shot from Abdullah Al-Qahtani in the 78th minute, but it went over the crossbar. Meanwhile, Neom almost added a third goal in the 83rd minute through Salman Al-Faraj, who missed a clear opportunity. As the match neared its end, substitute Amadou Koné sealed his team's victory with a goal in the 93rd minute (90+3), capitalizing on a quick counter-attack to put the ball in the net and deliver the final blow to Damac's hopes.
Impact and consequences:
With this crucial victory, NEOM FC raised their points tally to 20, climbing to ninth place in the Roshan League standings and comfortably distancing themselves from the relegation zone. This win also marks the beginning of a new phase in their quest to improve their position. Meanwhile, Damac FC's points total remains at 11, leaving them in sixteenth place and deepening their woes, making their fight to avoid relegation even more difficult. The match was attended by 1,700 fans who witnessed their team's return to winning ways in an enjoyable evening of football.
