Al Ittihad, coached by Sérgio Conceição, loses in an exciting match with seven goals.

In an electrifying clash that shook the Saudi League, Al Ittihad, managed by Portuguese coach Sérgio Conceição, suffered a dramatic home defeat by 4-3 against Neom, in a match filled with twists and thrilling goals. The game, part of the 29th round, confirmed the unpredictability of the championship, where Al Nassr, led by Jorge Jesus and featuring stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix, continues to dominate.

The team coached by Sérgio Conceição started under pressure but saw their opponent Neom strike early with a stunning goal from Algerian Said Benrahma just 3 minutes into the match. Shortly after, in the 16th minute, Uruguayan Luciano Rodriguez doubled the lead to 2-0, leaving Al Ittihad in a challenging position. However, the reaction came quickly. Moroccan Youssef En Nesyri took center stage, scoring two rapid goals in the 38th and 44th minutes, bringing his team back into the contest. Just after the break, Houssem Aouar, assisted by Portuguese Danilo Pereira—who started alongside compatriot Roger—turned the tide with a goal that made it 3-2 in the 49th minute.

Neom did not give up, and in the 55th minute, midfielder Muhannad Al Saad restored parity at 3-3, setting the stage for an explosive finish. And it was indeed explosive. In stoppage time, precisely at 90+1 minutes, Ala Al Haji, who had come on as a substitute in the 63rd minute, scored the decisive goal that secured a 4-3 victory for Neom. Portuguese goalkeeper Luís Maximiano, a starter for Neom, was crucial in securing his team’s triumph.

This result exacerbates the crisis at Al Ittihad, who have only managed two victories in the last seven matches and remain in sixth place, with 45 points, a colossal 25 points behind leaders Al Nassr. Neom, on the other hand, celebrates their second consecutive win and rises to eighth place, with 39 points, in a league that continues to surprise.

Sérgio Conceição now faces a huge challenge to restore Al Ittihad’s prestige in a competition where the balance is increasingly delicate and the pressure to reach the top is intense. This home defeat, in a match marked by seven goals and plenty of excitement, serves as a clear warning for the Portuguese team, which, despite having some big names, has yet to find the consistency needed to compete for the title in Saudi Arabia.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.