MW2 Talking Points: Darwin off mark, NEOM SC history, Al Shabab revamp

The Roshn Saudi League roared back into life these past few days after a brief hiatus for the international break, with 27 goals being fired in across the Kingdom.

It was a round in which the heavyweights stood tall, a surprise early contender appeared, and the league’s newest team recorded their first-ever win.

Here, we pick out five talking points from Matchweek 2.

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Al Nassr signal intent

It was an off-season of change for last season’s third-placed club as they eye a serious tilt at silverware - and their work in the summer transfer market is showing early reward.

Al Nassr’s 2-0 victory against Al Kholood, thanks to goals from Sadio Mane and Inigo Martinez, means they’ve won their opening two games of the season for the first time since - remarkably - 2019-20.

Most pleasing for new manager Jorge Jesus, though, will be the fact Al Nassr are yet to concede. Indeed, their ledger reads seven goals scored, none conceded.

So, with new arrivals such as Martinez, Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman feeling more at home each day, the early signs are good for Al Nassr’s new era.

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Al Khaleej make early move

Of the three teams with a perfect 2-0-0 record after the opening two rounds, one name stands out above the rest: Al Khaleej.

After an impressive 4-1 win at Al Shabab on the opening day, Georgios Donis’ men showed that was no fluke with a commanding 3-0 triumph at home to Al Fayha.

Former Bournemouth star Joshua King is proving a shrewd signing already with his third goal of the campaign taking him equal-top of the 2025-26 scoring charts.

Meanwhile, the club’s work in the Greek market, attracting Paolo Fernandes from AEK Athens as well as Giorgos Masouras from Olympiacos and Bart Schenkeveld from Panathinaikos, has been a masterstroke - the trio have gelled instantly with Donis’ style of play.

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NEOM SC etch place in history

There was history on multiple fronts at Damac Club Stadium as NEOM SC not only registered their first-ever goals in the RSL, but also their first victory.

The visitors were made to work by Damac, who early in the second half cancelled out Alexandre Lacazette’s opener. In fact, it required a late penalty from the Frenchman to secure all three points.

However, a win is a win and Christophe Galtier will be glad to break that RSL duck as the team builds into the season.

The form of 19-year-old French starlet Saimon Bouabre has been a highlight, a sign of how important he will be to NEOM SC’s campaign as they now look ahead this weekend to their first home match in the RSL.

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New beginnings at Al Shabab

After the disappointment of the 4-1 defeat to Al Khaleej in Matchweek 1, Al Shabab bounced back to winning ways following a fruitful end to the transfer window that saw the composition of the squad take shape for the first time.

Some of that was on display in their 1-0 victory at home to Al Hazem, with former AC Milan midfielder Yacine Adli making his debut, as did Spanish young gun Unai Hernandez, who arrived on loan from Al Ittihad.

With Englishman Josh Brownhill to be added into the mix, and experience in the form of Yannick Carrasco and Abderrazak Hamdallah still leading the way, there is cause for real optimism at Al Shabab.

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Darwin off the mark

Al Hilal will be left frustrated by not taking all three points after a gripping 2-2 draw with fellow title contenders Al Qadsiah, especially with 10 shots on target to Al Qadsiah’s two.

However, there was good news in the form of a first goal for the club for high-profile summer arrival Darwin Nunez.

The former Liverpool striker came close to opening his account on the opening matchday, only to have his effort ruled out, but he wouldn’t be denied a second time in Matchweek 2 as he equalised early in the second half.

On another night, Darwin could’ve easily had a hat-trick but for the sublime work of 2024-25 RSL Goalkeeper of the Year Koen Casteels between the sticks.

Thus, while on this occasion it was only one, you get the sense with this first out of the way the goals will soon start flowing for the Uruguay international.