“Gastón Álvarez is shown a yellow card for a foul, an early disciplinary moment that would later prove ironically significant as he went on to assist the opening goal nine minutes later.”
“Tijjani Reijnders breaks the deadlock for Al-Qadsiah after a frantic three-minute spell of chances at both ends. Following saves from Haroune Camara and Georgios Masouras, and a miss from Amadou Koné, Reijnders finishes to make it 0-1, assisted by Gastón Álvarez.”
Pivotal“Mateo Retegui converts from the penalty spot to double Al-Qadsiah's lead and effectively end NEOM's hopes of a comeback, making it 0-2 just ten minutes into the second half.”
Pivotal
NEOM SC
Al-Qadsiah
Outstanding performance
Al-Qadsiah•GoalkeeperAl-Qadsiah came to NEOM and executed a textbook away performance — soaking up pressure, staying disciplined defensively, and punishing their hosts with clinical finishing from limited opportunities. NEOM dominated almost every statistical category: 52% possession, 16 shots to nine, 477 passes to 450, and 39 dangerous attacks to 31, yet they mustered just one save from the Al-Qadsiah goalkeeper. The visitors, by contrast, earned five saves from their keeper and needed only three shots on target to walk away with three points. Tijjani Reijnders broke the deadlock on 29 minutes in a spell where Al-Qadsiah were creating chances in quick succession despite the run of play, and Mateo Retegui's penalty shortly after the hour extended the lead and effectively ended the contest. For NEOM, the stats paint a grim picture of a team that cannot convert territory and possession into goals — three big chances created, all three missed — and a defeat that raises serious questions about their cutting edge. Al-Qadsiah, meanwhile, climb with a victory that underlines their ability to win ugly on the road.
How entertaining was this match?
Turki Al Ammar takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Match ends with a score of 0-2.
Offside.
Amadou Koné takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Turki Al Ammar comes on for Musab Fahz Aljuwayr.
Offside.
Shot by Mohammed Al-Burayk with his right foot, but it misses the target.
Haroune Camara attempts a header but misses the shot.
Julian Quinones takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Amadou Koné's left-footed shot is blocked.
Ibrahim Mohannashi takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Shot by Mohammed Hamad Al Qahtani with his left foot is saved.
Ibrahim Mohannashi is substituted for Jehad Thakri.
Islam Hawsawi replaces Georgios Masouras.
Substitution: Mohammed Al-Burayk comes on for Abdulmalik Al-Oyayari.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Georgios Masouras takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Substitution: Mohammed Hamad Al Qahtani comes on for Mateo Retegui.
Corner awarded.
Khalil Al-Absi comes on for Muhannad Al Saad.
Alexandre Lacazette is on, and Ala Al-Hajji is off.
Faisal Al-Ghamdi comes on for Khalifah Al-Dawsari.
Ala Al-Hajji takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Mateo ReteguiMateo Retegui scores with a right-footed shot.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Mateo Retegui scores, making it 2-0.
Muhannad Al Saad takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Yellow card issued to Ala Al-Hajji.
Yasir Al-Shahrani is on, and Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat is off.
First half ends with the score at 0-1.
Mohannad Abu Taha takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Musab Fahz Aljuwayr takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Georgios Masouras takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Tijani Reijnders takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Gastón Álvarez
Goal! Tijani Reijnders scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Gaston Alvarez.
Amadou Koné takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Georgios Masouras takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Haroune Camara takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Haroune Camara takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Nathan Zeze takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Gaston Alvarez receives a yellow card.
Abdulmalik Al-Oyayari attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Haroune Camara takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Julian Quinones takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Kick-off! The referee is Faisal Alblwi.
NEOM SC carry genuine early-season momentum into Monday's clash at King Khalid Sport City, sitting fifth with back-to-back wins. Al-Qadsiah, boosted by the blockbuster arrival of Tijjani Reijnders, need a response after their defeat to Al Ittihad but have won the last two meetings between these sides.
