Al Diraiyah FC 1-2 NEOM SC: Match Report, Goals, Stats and Ratings

How NEOM SC won it

Al Diraiyah FC struck first through Idrissa Gueye in the 17th minute, set up by Darwin Núñez. NEOM SC levelled at 1-1 in the 45th minute (+5) through Saïd Benrahma from the penalty spot. NEOM SC turned it round: Alexandre Lacazette made it 1-2 in the 68th minute, set up by Saïd Benrahma.

It was 1-1 at half-time, and the second half changed the result.

The lead changed hands once.

The referee, Ibrahim Al Jurays, showed 1 yellow card: 0 to Al Diraiyah FC and 1 to NEOM SC.

Al Diraiyah FC: B. Nascimento, 4-2-3-1 · NEOM SC: C. Galtier, 4-2-3-1.

Moneyball's prediction against the result

The prediction got the result right. Before kick-off Moneyball made a NEOM SC win the most likely outcome at 36%, and that is what happened, though the most likely score was 0-2 rather than 1-2.

On goals the estimate was close: about 2.1 expected, 3 scored.

Over 2.5 goals had been put at 36%; with 3 goals the over came in, against the way the estimate leaned.

Both teams to score was 44%; both did, against the estimate.

Computed before kick-off from both sides' season goals and expected goals as of 2026-10-30, through a Dixon-Coles score model, and left as it was.

Why it went this way

On the day the expected goals were 2.27 for Al Diraiyah FC and 1.44 for NEOM SC.

Al Diraiyah FC scored about 1.3 fewer than their chances were worth: poor finishing, or a goalkeeper at his best.

Al Diraiyah FC created the better chances, 2.27 xG to 1.44, and still lost. On chances alone, the result could easily have gone the other way.

The run of play itself went against the pre-match reading: Moneyball expected NEOM SC to create more, and Al Diraiyah FC did.

Al Diraiyah FC had 5 shots on target, NEOM SC 5.

NEOM SC had 59% of the ball and turned it into the win.

Where the two sides stood before this match

Al Diraiyah FC came into it with 12 Saudi Pro League matches played, scoring 0.8 and conceding 1.1 a match, with 1.36 expected goals for and 1.43 against, and had won 33% of their matches.

NEOM SC came into it with 12 Saudi Pro League matches played, scoring 1.5 and conceding 0.8 a match, with 1.48 expected goals for and 1.31 against, and had won 58% of their matches.

Al Diraiyah FC vs NEOM SC: the match in numbers

Team statistics from Sportmonks.

Player ratings and man of the match

Man of the match: Idrissa Gueye (Al Diraiyah FC), rated 8.2 by Sportmonks, with 1 goal.

Al Diraiyah FC

• Idrissa Gueye 8.2 1 goal
• Enzo Millot 7.9
• Chancel Mbemba 7.2
• Óscar Rodríguez 7.0
• Clayton Diandy 6.9

NEOM SC

• Saïd Benrahma 8.0 1 goal, 1 assist
• Mohannad Abu Taha 7.5
• Malang Sarr 7.3
• Alexandre Lacazette 7.0 1 goal
• Luís Maximiano 7.0

The lowest-rated starter was Khalifah Al-Dawsari at 6.3. Ratings run from 0 to 10; around 7.0 is a solid match.

What comes next

• Al Diraiyah FC: Al Faisaly vs Al Diraiyah FC Thursday 26 November 2026 · Saudi Pro League

Each preview has Moneyball's estimate for the next match, published before kick-off and marked against the result afterwards, as this one is.

Questions about Al Diraiyah FC vs NEOM SC

What was the score in Al Diraiyah FC vs NEOM SC?

Al Diraiyah FC 1-2 NEOM SC (half-time 1-1), Saudi Pro League, Friday 30 October 2026.

Who scored in Al Diraiyah FC vs NEOM SC?

Idrissa Gueye 17', Saïd Benrahma 45+5', Alexandre Lacazette 68'.

Did Moneyball predict Al Diraiyah FC vs NEOM SC correctly?

The prediction got the result right. Before kick-off Moneyball made a NEOM SC win the most likely outcome at 36%, and that is what happened, though the most likely score was 0-2 rather than 1-2.

Who was man of the match in Al Diraiyah FC vs NEOM SC?

Idrissa Gueye, rated 8.2 by Sportmonks.

Who refereed Al Diraiyah FC vs NEOM SC?

Ibrahim Al Jurays.