Al-Ittihad earned a 3-1 away win over Neom in the Saudi Pro League, driven by a goal and assist from Steven Bergwijn and a late strike from Ahmed Al Ghamdi, while Saïd Benrahma’s brilliant free-kick and several missed chances for both teams kept the match tense until deep into stoppage time.
The visitors opened scoring early through Roger Fernandes, then regained control in the second half when Bergwijn finished Moussa Diaby’s cutback. Neom threatened several times, including a big late opening for Ahmed Abdu, before Al Ghamdi’s composed 96th-minute finish finally settled a match that swung in momentum at King Khalid Sport City Stadium.
Performance data reflected Al-Ittihad’s control despite brief pressure from Neom after Benrahma’s equaliser.
Al-Ittihad produced 1.7 expected goals from four shots on target, while Neom recorded 1.26 expected goals from three efforts on target. Bergwijn scored with his only shot, created two chances, completed 18 passes in the attacking third, and won six of nine duels.
Al-Ittihad’s away form in the Saudi Pro League also stayed strong with this result. The team are now unbeaten in eight straight league matches on the road, with six wins and two draws in that spell. The previous streak of eight away games without defeat came between May and October 2023, when they recorded five wins and three draws.
The match began cautiously, with both sides showing patience before Al-Ittihad struck after 14 minutes. Bergwijn collected possession on the right flank and lifted a precise cross to the far post, where Roger Fernandes met the delivery with a diving header. Karim Benzema and Muhannad Al Shanqiti then failed to convert promising chances to extend that early advantage.
Those missed opportunities proved costly, as Neom levelled before the half-hour mark. Benrahma lined up a free-kick and delivered a powerful effort that Predrag Rajkovic managed to touch, but the ball hit the inside of the post and crossed the line. That goal shifted momentum, giving Neom belief after Al-Ittihad’s bright opening spell.
Al-Ittihad vs Neom: Second-half response and late drama
Neom came out after the break with energy and pushed Al-Ittihad back briefly, yet the visitors soon regained control. Al-Ittihad moved the ball quickly through midfield, and Diaby cut the ball back from the right. Bergwijn arrived first time and swept a low finish past Luis Maximiano in the 68th minute to restore the lead.
The hosts still created chances during the closing stages. In the 83rd minute, Ahmed Abdu broke through on goal but shot over from inside the box. Deep into stoppage time, Luciano Rodríguez’s header looked bound for the net before Fabinho cleared on the line. Al-Ittihad then countered, and Al Ghamdi curled into the top-right corner in the 96th minute.
The match highlights were later shared, giving supporters another look at the main incidents and goals.The result underlined Al-Ittihad’s resilience away from home, with clinical finishing from Bergwijn and Al Ghamdi complementing solid defensive moments from Rajkovic and Fabinho during crucial late phases.| Highlights from #Alittihad_Neom game pic.twitter.com/KOVB64N0xrAl-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) December 31, 2025
