“Kalidou Koulibaly deflects the ball into his own net following sustained Al Hilal pressure and a corner kick, giving NEOM SC an unlikely early lead.”
Pivotal“Amadou Koné follows up his own blocked shot to slot home NEOM SC's second goal right before the break, dealing a psychological blow to Al Hilal heading into halftime.”
Pivotal
Al Hilal
NEOM SC
Outstanding performance
NEOM SC•GoalkeeperAl Hilal completely controlled proceedings statistically, dominating possession 63-37% and racking up 20 shots to NEOM SC's 11, yet found themselves undone by a defensive lapse and a moment of composure from their opponents. Kalidou Koulibaly's own goal in the 15th minute, following sustained pressure and a corner, set the tone, and Amadou Koné doubled the damage right on the stroke of halftime by pouncing on a blocked shot. Despite creating five big chances and missing all five of them, Al Hilal simply could not find a way past a well-organized NEOM SC defense, who registered five saves and held firm through a barrage of second-half pressure. The result is a damaging one for Al Hilal's title ambitions given their position in the table, while NEOM SC will be thrilled with a disciplined, clinical away performance that maximized their limited opportunities.
How entertaining was this match?
Mohamed Meite takes a shot with his head, but it hits the post.
Islam Hawsawi is substituted off for Ala Al-Hajji.
Crysencio Summerville takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Yellow card issued to Amadou Koné.
Haroune Camara takes a shot with his right foot, but it's saved.
Offside.
Ahmed Al Anzi is on, and Khalil Al-Absi is off.
Substitution: Sabri Dahal comes on for Mohammed Mahzari.
Saad Al Muthary replaces Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva.
Valentin Vada comes on for Alexandre Lacazette.
Nasser Al-Dawsari's left-footed shot is blocked.
Alexandre Lacazette takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Crysencio Summerville takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Haroune Camara comes on for Muhannad Al Saad.
Substitution: Mohamed Meite comes on for Mohamed Kanno.
Ollie Watkins takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Ollie Watkins takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Ollie Watkins takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
Mohammed Al-BuraykYellow CardYellow card shown to Mohammed Al-Burayk.
Khalil Al-Absi takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Sultan Mandash takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Crysencio SummervilleYellow CardCrysencio Summerville receives a yellow card.
Offside.
Yellow card issued to Muhannad Al Saad.
Offside.
Offside.
Mohamed Kanno takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Mohamed Kanno attempts a shot with another body part but misses.
Corner awarded.
Mohamed KannoYellow CardYellow card shown to Mohamed Kanno.
Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Sultan Mandash is substituted off for Hassan Altambakti.
Nasser Al-Dawsari comes on for Moteb Al Harbi.
Mohammed Al-Burayk comes on for Abdulmalik Al-Oyayari.
Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Ollie Watkins takes a shot with his head, but it's blocked.
The first half ends with a score of 0-2.
Amadou KonéShot! Amadou Koné scores with a left-footed shot.
Corner awarded.
Alexandre Lacazette takes a header, but it hits the post.
Goal! Amadou Koné scores, making it 0-2.
Amadou Koné takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Hassan Altambakti takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Ollie Watkins takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
Kalidou Koulibaly takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Sergej Milinkovic Savic takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Offside.
Ruben Neves takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Alexandre Lacazette takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Sergej Milinkovic Savic receives a yellow card.
Offside.
Shot from Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva with his left foot is blocked.
Kalidou KoulibalyShot by Kalidou Koulibaly results in an own goal.
Muhannad Al Saad takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Muhannad Al Saad takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Goal! An own goal by Kalidou Koulibaly puts the score at 0-1.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Alexandre Lacazette takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Nathan Zeze takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Kick-off has occurred!
League leaders Al Hilal, unbeaten in five and riding a five-match winning streak, host mid-table NEOM SC at Kingdom Arena. NEOM arrive with momentum of their own after a bounce-back win, but history and form both favor the hosts heavily.
