Al-Ittihad Eliminated From Club World Cup After Karim Benzema Penalty Miss In Loss To Al Ahly

Karim Benzema's dreams of winning the FIFA Club World Cup for a record-equaling sixth time were dashed on Friday when he captained Al-Ittihad to a 3-1 loss to Al Ahly.

The game, which was played at Al-Ittihad's King Abdullah Sport City Stadium home in Jeddah, was a fairly even contest in terms of chances but the African champions were much more clinical in front of goal.

Benzema missed a major opportunity to score just before half-time when he saw a tame penalty kick comfortably saved by Al Ahly keeper Mohamed El Shenawy.

After his failed spot-kick, Benzema pointed to his left eye to suggest that he had been hampered by a green laser pen that was aimed in his direction by a fan in the crowd.

Al-Ittihad captain Karim Benzema pictured moments after failing to convert a penalty kick against Al Ahly at the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia

IMAGO/NurPhoto/Jose Breton

Al Ahly were leading 1-0 at this point thanks to a successful spot-kick converted by Ali Maaloul at the other end.

Second-half strikes from Hussein El-Shahat and Emam Ashour then saw the Egyptian side establish a 3-0 lead before Benzema netted a consolation goal in added time.

Al Ahly will now meet Brazil's Fluminense in the semi-finals on Monday.

The winners of that game will then face either Manchester City or Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds in the final on December 22.

Al Ahly will be without striker Anthony Modeste against Fluminense after the former Blackburn and Dortmund player was sent off in the 90th minute on Friday for elbowing Al-Ittihad defender Ahmed Hegazi.

Al-Ittihad had qualified for the Club World Cup as champions of Saudi Arabia, which is the tournament's host nation.

The other six clubs involved in this year's competition had all qualified by winning continental championships.

Al-Ittihad beat New Zealand's Auckland City - winners of the 2023 OFC Champions League - 3-0 in round one of the CWC earlier this week.