By SCM Sports Correspondent I Sunday, Nov.09, 2025
KING KHALID SPORT CITY STADIUM, TABUK, Saudi Arabia — Al Nassr’s relentless pursuit of the Saudi Professional League title continued last night, but it was the backdrop of their latest triumph that truly underscored the growing reach of the division.
The Riyadh giants defeated a resolute Neom SC side 3-1 in a hard-fought encounter, extending their perfect start to the season deep within the northern city of Tabuk.
The match at the King Khalid Sport City Stadium – the home ground of ambitious newcomers Neom SC – served as a powerful showcase for the league’s desire to spread its top-tier spectacle beyond the traditional football hubs of Riyadh and Jeddah.
For a time, Neom threatened to spoil the party.
Backed by a passionate local crowd, they held Al Nassr scoreless in a tense first half. It was a spirited defensive display in one of Saudi Arabia’s most remote top-flight venues, highlighting the competitive spirit they bring to their new home.
The visitors’ class eventually shone through after the break. Star midfielder Ângelo Gabriel broke the deadlock just after the restart, reacting quickest to a rebound to slot home.
The lead was then doubled by an inevitable source, as Cristiano Ronaldo calmly converted a penalty to put the Knights of Najd firmly in control.
Neom briefly sparked hope, pulling a goal back in the 84th minute to send the Tabuk crowd into raptures and suggest a nervous finish. However, a sensational long-range strike from João Félix minutes later slammed the door shut on the comeback, sealing the 3-1 scoreline and ensuring all three points would travel back to Riyadh.
The victory marks an eighth straight win for Al Nassr, but the buzz around the match will centre on the venue itself.
The King Khalid Sport City Stadium proved a fitting, if distant, stage for one of the league’s marquee fixtures, cementing the fact that Saudi football’s new era is a national phenomenon, not just a capital city event.
