FanNation Futbol

Karim Benzema Scores His First Saudi Pro League Goal As Al-Ittihad Continue Perfect Start To Title Defense

Karim Benzema scored the first goal of his Saudi Pro League career on Thursday night as Al-Ittihad won 4-0 away at Al-Riyadh.

Robert Summerscales

Karim Benzema Scores His First Saudi Pro League Goal As Al-Ittihad Continue Perfect Start To Title Defense
Karim Benzema Scores His First Saudi Pro League Goal As Al-Ittihad Continue Perfect Start To Title Defense /

Karim Benzema scored the first goal of his Saudi Pro League career on Thursday night as Al-Ittihad won 4-0 away at Al-Riyadh.

The former Real Madrid striker opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Abderrazak Hamdallah - who was last season's Golden Boot winner - netted twice.

Saleh Al-Amri then wrapped up a convincing victory in added time, shortly after Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe had saved a penalty kick from Al-Riyadh substitute Saleh Al Abbas.

Thursday's win sent the defending champions top of the table.

Al-Ittihad have now started the Saudi Pro League season with three straight wins and have still not yet conceded a goal.

Benzema's goal on Thursday was the product of a slick team move that started with Fabinho in possession in the left-back position.

Fabinho played the ball infield to Hamdallah, whose first-time pass found Benzema in the center of the pitch, 10 yards inside his own half.

Benzema carried the ball forward at pace for 40 yards before playing a neat one-two with Madallah Alolayan and then smashing home a shot from just inside the penalty area.

Karim Benzema pictured inside his own half with the ball at his feet nine seconds before scoring the first goal of his Saudi Pro League career for Al-Ittihad - against Al-Riyadh in August 2023
Karim Benzema pictured inside his own half with the ball at his feet nine seconds before scoring the first goal of his Saudi Pro League career :: Twitter/@ittihad_en

But that was not the best goal of the night.

Hamdallah's second of the match, which arrived just before half-time, came from an acrobatic overhead kick.

Al-Ittihad will next be in action on Monday when they travel to Al-Wehda.

Published
Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.