Granada CF kicked off their 2026 preseason campaign with a solid 2–0 victory over Saudi Arabian side NEOM Sports Club in an International Club Friendly played on July 23, 2026. The match, held at a neutral venue, gave Granada’s coaching staff a first look at their squad’s fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of the upcoming La Liga season.

Match Overview

The fixture marked the first meeting between the two clubs, with the Spanish side controlling much of the possession from the opening whistle. NEOM, a relatively young club backed by ambitious investment, struggled to break through Granada's organized defensive block and rarely threatened the goal in the first half.

Key Moments

• 25th minute – Granada CF 1–0: Winger Myrto Uzuni latched onto a through ball from new signing Sergio Ruiz and slotted calmly past the NEOM goalkeeper.
• 58th minute – Granada CF 2–0: Striker Lucas Boyé doubled the lead with a powerful header from a corner delivered by Óscar Melendo.
• Granada goalkeeper Raúl Fernández preserved the clean sheet with a sharp save in the 72nd minute, tipping a long-range effort over the bar.

Tactical Observations

Granada head coach José Ramón Sandoval deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing quick transitions and wide play. The midfield duo of Gonzalo Villar and Sergio Ruiz controlled the tempo, while full-backs Ricard Sánchez and Carlos Neva provided constant overlapping runs. NEOM, playing in a compact 4-4-2, showed flashes of counter-attacking promise but lacked the final ball in the final third.

Standout Performers

• Myrto Uzuni (Granada): The Albanian winger was a constant threat, scoring one goal and creating two further chances.
• Óscar Melendo (Granada): Provided the assist for the second goal and dictated play from an advanced midfield role.
• Jhon Durán (NEOM): The Colombian forward worked hard up front and forced the only meaningful save of the night from Granada’s goalkeeper.

Preseason Context

For Granada, this friendly was the first of three scheduled during their summer tour. The win provides early momentum as the club aims to improve on their 14th-place finish in La Liga last season. NEOM, meanwhile, continues its preparation for the Saudi Pro League season under new head coach Jorge Jesus, who took charge earlier this month.

With both sides using the fixture primarily to build match sharpness, the result was secondary – but Granada will be pleased with the clean sheet and the efficiency in front of goal.