Benzema scores first goal in Saudi Pro League
Benzema started the match in the third round of the Saudi Pro League on the evening of August 24. In the 17th minute, the former Real Madrid star opened the scoring for the away team Al Ittihad. After dribbling from the middle of the field, he passed the ball to the right for Romarinho. After receiving a pass from his teammates in the box, he adjusted a beat and shot into the top corner.
Benzema got his first goal in the Saudi Pro League after three appearances. Previously, in the two matches that won Al Raed 3-0 and Al Tai 2-0, the player who won the 2022 Golden Ball was all empty. Counting all three goals in four matches in the Arab Club Champions Cup, Benzema has four goals for the new team.
The fact that Benzema wore the captain's armband, started and scored in the win against Al Riyadh also dispels rumors that he is in conflict with coach Nuno Santo. Previously, according to the media, the Portuguese coach thought that Benzema was not suitable for his style of play.
After Benzema's opening goal, Hamdallah took a penalty in the 25th minute and made it 3-0 in 45+10 minutes for Al Ittihad. In the 89th minute, Al Abbas missed the opportunity to shorten the score for Al Riyadh when he missed the penalty kick. Al Ittihad needed just four minutes to punish this mistake, with Al Amri's 4-0 winning goal. It was Benzema who created Al Amri.
After three wins, Al Ittihad continued to lead the Saudi Pro League with nine points and a 9-0 difference. Al Ahli also has nine points, but is second with a difference of 7-2. In the third round, Al Ahli beat Al Akhdoud 1-0, with the only goal in the 90+6 minute of rookie Franck Kessie.
Neymar has not made his debut for Al Hilal, due to continued pain. However, in the match on the evening of August 24, Al Hilal was still able to beat the host Al Raed 4-0. Another rookie, Aleksandar Mitrovic scored on his debut, alongside two goals from Al Dawsari and one from Al Hamdan. Al Hilal is currently third with seven points, after three games.
Today, August 25, Ronaldo's Al Nassr will kick the third round on Al Fateh's field. After losing the first two games to Al Ettifaq 1-2 and Al Taawoun 0-2, last season's runner-up team is ranked third from the bottom.
