Neom SC 4-2 Al Fateh — Neom SC and Al Fateh served up one of the most entertaining matches of the Saudi Professional League round, with Neom SC scoring four times to claim a thrilling 4-2 victory on home turf.

The match was open from the start, and both teams looked willing to attack. Neom SC used the energy of the home crowd to press high and force Al Fateh into early mistakes, while Al Fateh responded with quick counter-attacks and direct runs behind the defensive line. By the final whistle, six goals and a flurry of chances had made it a memorable night for the neutral and a valuable three points for the hosts.

Neom SC strike first

Neom SC took the lead in the ninth minute when Rafael Costa latched onto a through ball and finished calmly past the goalkeeper. The early goal settled the hosts and allowed them to dictate the tempo, but Al Fateh showed their resilience by equalizing in the 23rd minute through Hassan Al-Ali, who converted a well-worked move from the right flank.

Rather than retreat, Neom SC pushed forward again. Karim Al-Harbi restored the lead in the 38th minute with a powerful effort from the edge of the box, giving his side a 2-1 advantage at the break.

Key moments

• 9' — 1-0 Neom SC: Rafael Costa runs onto a defence-splitting pass and finishes low into the corner.
• 23' — 1-1 Al Fateh: Hassan Al-Ali levels with a first-time finish after a fast counter-attack.
• 38' — 2-1 Neom SC: Karim Al-Harbi drills a shot from outside the area into the bottom corner.
• 61' — 3-1 Neom SC: Rafael Costa scores his second, pouncing on a loose ball inside the box.
• 72' — 3-2 Al Fateh: Tariq Al-Mutairi gives the visitors hope with a header from a corner.
• 84' — 4-2 Neom SC: Yassine El Amrani seals the win with a composed finish on the break.

Tactical story

Neom SC set up with an aggressive 4-2-3-1, using their wingers to stretch Al Fateh’s back four and create space for the central attackers. Their press was particularly effective in the first half, forcing Al Fateh into hurried passes and allowing Neom SC to win the ball in dangerous areas. Al Fateh, meanwhile, looked most threatening when they bypassed the press with long diagonal balls and attacked the space behind the full-backs.

After Neom SC made it 3-1, Al Fateh improved and pulled one back through a set piece. For a few minutes, the away side sensed an equalizer, but Neom SC managed the game well in the closing stages. Their fourth goal, scored on the counter, was the perfect response to Al Fateh’s pressure and killed off the contest.

Standout players

Rafael Costa was the obvious match-winner for Neom SC, scoring twice and constantly troubling the Al Fateh defence with his movement. Karim Al-Harbi controlled the midfield and added a spectacular goal, while Yassine El Amrani’s late strike showed the team’s depth in attack.

For Al Fateh, Hassan Al-Ali was lively throughout and took his goal well. Tariq Al-Mutairi also made an impact from set pieces, but the visitors will be disappointed with the way they conceded chances after equalizing in the first half.

Table impact and season context

The win gives Neom SC a significant boost in the Saudi Professional League standings and reinforces their reputation as a dangerous home side. For Al Fateh, the defeat is a setback in their push for a stronger position, though their two goals show they remain a threat going forward. The head-to-head result will also be remembered if the teams end up close in the table later in the season. Neom SC will look to build on this attacking display, while Al Fateh must tighten up defensively before their next fixture.