Lacazette Strikes as NEOM Edge Al Diriyah 2-1

Al Diriyah 1-2 NEOM: Pro League Drama Unfolds

Al Diriyah’s early dominance crumbled under late pressure as NEOM stole a 2-1 victory in this Pro League thriller, turning the game on its head with a penalty and a lethal Lacazette strike.

Al Diriyah Start Strong

The home side erupted after 17 minutes when Idrissa Gueye lashed home Darwin Nuñez’s cutback, their 11 first-half shots signaling intent. NEOM’s defence creaked under the onslaught, Maximiano pulling off two miraculous saves to keep the deficit at one.

NEOM’s Penalty Pivot

Literally on the stroke of halftime, VAR intervened – Mohannad Abu Taha’s tumble under Djimsiti’s challenge was ruled a penalty after a tortuous review. Saïd Benrahma buried it deep into stoppage time, the stadium’s silence deafening as NEOM escaped their own half at 1-1.

Christophe Galtier’s tactical reshuffle at 64 minutes proved inspired. Within four, substitute Lacazette volleyed Benrahma’s cross through Al Bukhari’s legs – NEOM’s first lead earned through ruthless efficiency.

Al Diriyah’s Desperate Chase

Bruno Lage threw on attackers, but NEOM’s backline held firm despite Al Saad’s late yellow card for time-wasting. The stats told the story: 59% possession and 439 accurate passes allowed NEOM to squeeze the life from the game.

For Al Diriyah, the wounds were self-inflicted – 41% possession and just 5 shots on target from 20 attempts. Their early promise dissolved into wayward long-range efforts, Nuñez’s creative spark smothered by NEOM’s defensive reshuffle.

Pro League Ramifications

NEOM climb into the upper echelons with this smash-and-grab, their clinical edge overcoming Al Diriyah’s territorial dominance. Bruno Lage’s men are left cursing VAR and their own profligacy, the home fans trudging out knowing three points slipped through their fingers when they’d battered the door down.