(Interstat) — NEOM SC opened its Pro League campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Damac Saudi Club on Friday at King Khalid Sport City Stadium in Tabūk, a result that defied a pregame projection of a draw.

The home side, playing in front of a supportive crowd, controlled the match from the outset and secured the three points with a pair of headed goals and a late penalty. The win gives NEOM SC a perfect start to the Saudi Arabian top-flight season, while Damac begins with a defeat.

The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when defender Nathan Zeze rose highest to power in a header, giving NEOM SC an early lead it would not relinquish. Zeze’s goal set the tone for a disciplined performance from the home team.

Damac struggled to create meaningful chances throughout the match, and its task became more difficult just after the half-hour mark when Jamal Harkass was shown a yellow card. The visiting side’s frustrations continued to mount, with Morlaye Sylla and Faris Abdi also booked in the second half as NEOM SC maintained its grip on the game.

The match was put beyond doubt in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Substitute Abdulrahman Al Obaid, who had entered the game earlier, provided the assist for Amadou Koné to double the advantage with another header. Koné’s goal, however, was quickly followed by a yellow card for the scorer in the 86th minute.

NEOM SC capped the dominant performance with a third goal from the penalty spot, converted by forward Alexandre Lacazette to seal the 3-0 scoreline. The assist on Lacazette’s goal was credited to substitute Jamal Harkass.

The comprehensive victory exceeded the pregame simulation from Interstat, which had projected a 1-1 draw. The same analytics service gave NEOM SC a 71.10 percent probability to win based on its ELO rating system, a forecast the team emphatically fulfilled.

With the result, NEOM SC begins the Pro League season with one win and no losses, while Damac Saudi Club starts with one loss and no wins. Both teams carry identical records across all competitions for the new campaign.