Al Taraji edge seven-goal classic against Al Nairyah

Al Taraji produced a dramatic late winner to beat Al Nairyah 4-3 in a pulsating Saudi Arabia Division 2 match on 28 October 2026. In a game that swung one way and then the other, the visitors found the decisive goal deep into stoppage time to leave Al Nairyah with nothing despite scoring three times at home.

The result gives Al Taraji a valuable three points in the league table and adds another memorable chapter to a fixture that delivered end-to-end football from the opening whistle. For Al Nairyah, the defeat will be painful, but the performance showed plenty of attacking intent and fighting spirit.

Match overview

Played under the lights at Al Nairyah Club Stadium, the contest was open almost immediately. Al Nairyah started with energy and were rewarded early, while Al Taraji grew into the game through quick transitions and purposeful midfield pressing. The seven-goal scoreline reflected the balance of chances: both sides created clear openings, and both goalkeepers were kept busy throughout.

• Competition: Saudi Arabia Division 2
• Result: Al Nairyah 3-4 Al Taraji
• Date: 28 October 2026
• Kick-off: 20:05
• Venue: Al Nairyah Club Stadium

Key moments

Al Nairyah made the brighter start and took the lead in the ninth minute when Nawaf Al-Shehri latched onto a through ball and finished calmly. The home side's advantage lasted until the 23rd minute, when Al Taraji equalised through Youssef Al-Zahrani, who reacted quickest inside the penalty area.

Al Taraji turned the game around in the 34th minute. Abdulrahman Al-Ghamdi cut in from the right and curled a left-footed effort beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2-1. Al Nairyah responded after the break, equalising in the 52nd minute through Fahad Al-Mutairi's composed finish after a well-worked move down the left.

The visitors regained the lead in the 67th minute when Sultan Al-Qahtani arrived late in the box and converted a low cross. Al Nairyah refused to fold, and Al-Shehri grabbed his second of the night in the 81st minute to level at 3-3 and set up a tense finale.

Just as the match appeared to be heading for a draw, Al Taraji found one final moment. In the third minute of stoppage time, Al-Zahrani pounced on a loose ball and fired home to complete his brace and seal a 4-3 victory.

Tactical story

Al Nairyah looked to play through midfield and frequently used the width of the pitch to stretch Al Taraji's back line. Their best spells came when Al-Mutairi dropped deeper to link play and Al-Shehri ran in behind. However, the home side left spaces in transition, and Al Taraji punished them with quick, direct attacks.

Al Taraji's midfield trio pressed aggressively and forced turnovers in dangerous areas. Al-Qahtani was particularly effective at arriving in the box late, while Al-Ghamdi's dribbling caused problems throughout. The visitors' willingness to keep attacking even at 3-3 ultimately earned them the win.

Standout performers

Youssef Al-Zahrani was the match-winner for Al Taraji, scoring twice including the decisive goal in stoppage time. Abdulrahman Al-Ghamdi was a constant threat on the flank, and Sultan Al-Qahtani controlled the tempo while also getting on the scoresheet. Al Taraji goalkeeper Faisal Al-Otaibi made an important save at 3-3 to keep his side level before the late winner.

For Al Nairyah, Nawaf Al-Shehri's brace was the highlight of a strong individual display. Fahad Al-Mutairi also impressed with his creativity and goal, while defender Mohammed Al-Dosari made several important interventions despite the defeat.

What the result means

The three points lift Al Taraji's momentum in the Saudi Arabia Division 2 standings and underline their ability to win tight, high-scoring contests. Al Nairyah remain with plenty to build on, but they will need to tighten up defensively if they are to turn promising attacking performances into results. The seven-goal thriller will be remembered as one of the more entertaining matches of the campaign.