Karim Benzema’s fifteenth objective of the season in all competitions proved solely a comfort as Al-Ittihad suffered a shock second defeat of the season at Damac within the Saudi Professional League on Monday.
2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema discovered area to emphatically head in Abdulrahman Al Obud’s right-wing cross deep into first-half added time, bringing his facet stage after Georges-Kevin Nkoudou had opened the scoring from distance within the seventeenth minute.
Former Besiktas, Tottenham, Marseille and Nantes winger Nkoudou struck from lengthy vary once more within the 94th minute, sealing a 2-1 victory for the facet who had begun the afternoon 4 factors above the relegation zone and with eight defeats of their first 16 league matches.
A typical Ballon d’Or winner’s end ⭐️⚽️#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/eg3MX7riMC
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 27, 2025
Karim Benzema targets
Benzema’s fourth objective in 5 league video games was his thirteenth on this season’s high flight, placing him one behind high scorer Cristiano Ronaldo’s complete of 14 for third-placed Al-Nassr.
Former Fulham and Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is the one different participant in double figures in Saudi Arabia, scoring 12 for Al-Hilal.
On the double: @gknkoudou ⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/rbzl3M3XW4
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 27, 2025
Benzema has 10 direct objective involvements in six appearances in all competitions since his return from lacking three matches via damage in October and November,
The five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid has three extra assists than Ronaldo and Mitrovic mixed within the league, establishing 5 targets.
Cameroon worldwide N’Koudou is considered one of 4 gamers on 9 targets after scoring for the primary time in 4 matches.
🇨🇲 @gknkoudou was your MOTM alternative from #DAMITT ⭐️#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/P5QcD2veSG
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) January 27, 2025
Saudi Professional League desk
Al-Ittihad missed out on going three factors above Al-Hilal with their first defeat since a 3-1 loss on the leaders on September 21, when Mitrovic scored twice and Benzema netted an 86th-minute reply.
Ronaldo was among the many scorers as Al-Nassr won 3-1 at home to Al-Fateh on Sunday, however the Portugal icon’s facet are eight factors behind Al-Ittihad.
Reigning champions Al-Hilal can make the most of Al-Ittihad’s slip-up once they go to fourth-placed Al-Qadisiyah in a while Monday (5pm GMT).
⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/s5JVab8Nvv
— Al-Ittihad Membership (@ittihad_en) January 27, 2025
Benzema Actual Madrid stats
Benzema’s 354 targets throughout 14 years make him Madrid’s second-highest all-time scorer behind former team-mate Ronaldo, who hit 451.
The 2022 World Cup runner-up with France has stated in interviews that he sees himself as an envoy for soccer in Saudi Arabia who may help entice extra elite European footballers to the league.
After leaving Madrid a yr earlier than the top of his contract, Benzema joined Al-Ittihad on a three-year contract in 2023.
📸| @Benzema celebration after scoring the equalizer ⚽️#Alittihad_Damak pic.twitter.com/resxlEnWrP
— Al-Ittihad Membership (@ittihad_en) January 27, 2025
Benzema in Saudi Arabia
The 37-year-old’s first season in Saudi Arabia produced a return of 13 targets and eight assists in 29 matches that was low by his prolific requirements as Al-Ittihad endured a turbulent 2023/24, ending with out a trophy and sacking present Nottingham Forest supervisor Nuno Espirito Santo in November.
Former Barcelona sporting director Ramon Planes joined the nine-time champions in the identical position he held on the Spanish giants in January, and ex-PSG supervisor Laurent Blanc had led them to the highest of the desk since changing Argentine Marcelo Gallardo in July.
Benzema’s targets this season have included one in opposition to Al-Nassr in a 2-1 win in Al-Ittihad’s last match earlier than their winter break.
