Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
NEOM thrashed Al-Arabi SC 4-1 in a pre-season friendly on 27 July 2026. Ahmed Al-Anzi scored twice, with Malang Sarr and Hassan Al-Ali also on target, as the Saudi side led 3-0 at half-time.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
NEOM opened the scoring in the 20th minute through centre-back Malang Sarr, the former Chelsea and Porto defender converting from a set-piece situation. The Saudi side doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Al-Anzi finished smartly from close range.
Al-Anzi struck again in the 38th minute, latching onto a through ball and slotting home to make it 3-0 before the interval. NEOM's high press and quick transitions left Al-Arabi unable to build any sustained attacking momentum in the first half.
Al-Arabi pulled one back in the 75th minute through Youssef Snana, who found the net from inside the box to give the Qatari side brief hope. But NEOM restored their three-goal cushion just two minutes later — Hassan Al-Ali scored in the 77th minute to make it 4-1, capping a swift counter-attack.
The turning point
Al-Anzi's second goal in the 38th minute effectively ended the contest before half-time. A 3-0 deficit forced Al-Arabi to chase the game in the second half, and while Snana's 75th-minute strike briefly shifted momentum, NEOM's immediate response through Al-Ali extinguished any prospect of a comeback.
Key performers
Ahmed Al-Anzi (NEOM) — The man of the match. His brace inside 13 minutes (27', 38') showcased sharp movement off the ball and composure in front of goal. A significant pre-season form marker for the Saudi side.
Malang Sarr (NEOM) — Opened the scoring with a well-timed run from a set piece in the 20th minute. The defender's experience at European top-flight level was evident in his positioning and reading of the game.
Hassan Al-Ali (NEOM) — Came off the bench to score NEOM's fourth in the 77th minute, just two minutes after Al-Arabi had pulled one back. His impact highlighted the depth in NEOM's squad.
Youssef Snana (Al-Arabi SC) — The Qatari side's brightest performer. Scored the consolation goal in the 75th minute and looked the most likely to create something in the final third.
By the numbers — interpreted
NEOM's 3-0 half-time lead tells the story: the game was won in the opening 45 minutes. The Saudi side's three first-half goals all came from open play or set-piece situations that exposed Al-Arabi's defensive organisation. Al-Arabi's consolation in the 75th minute was a statistical correction rather than the start of a genuine fightback — NEOM responded with a goal of their own within two minutes.
What it means
For NEOM, this wraps up a productive pre-season camp in Spain ahead of the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign. The club, promoted to the top flight in 2024, are building momentum with a series of friendlies against international opposition. Al-Arabi SC continue their own pre-season preparations for the Qatar Stars League season, with this defeat serving as a useful benchmark against a physical Saudi side that outclassed them in the opening period.
Verdict
A thoroughly professional performance from NEOM, who were clinical in the first half and never seriously troubled after the break. Al-Arabi were outplayed in the opening 45 minutes and will need sharper defensive organisation before their league campaign begins.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 1 Aug 2026