Riyadh Fights for Survival with Draw Against Al-Taawoun

In a tense encounter Friday, Riyadh salvaged an important draw against their hosts Al-Taawoun, finishing the match level at 1-1 in their desperate quest to remain in the Saudi Professional League.

The visitors struck first, with Leandro Antunes breaking the deadlock in the 61st minute. The midfielder unleashed a powerful drive from beyond the box that found the back of the net. However, Al-Taawoun responded swiftly, restoring parity six minutes later when Roger Martinez converted a penalty kick. The spot-kick had been awarded following a foul committed within the penalty area.

The result leaves Riyadh in sixteenth place—the first relegation spot—with 27 points accumulated from 33 matches played. They remain two points adrift of Damak, who occupy fifteenth place. With just one round remaining in the season, Riyadh's survival hopes rest on a precarious scenario: they must defeat Al-Ukhdood at home in their final fixture, while simultaneously hoping that Damak fall to Al-Nasr. Complicating matters further, Damak hold the advantage in head-to-head matchups.

Meanwhile, Al-Taawoun moved to 53 points and consolidated their position in sixth place. The season has already seen Al-Najma and Al-Akhdood officially confirmed as relegated sides heading to the lower division.