Has the dismissal of Nuno Espirito Santo on Tuesday changed everything in Karim Benzema’s Saudi adventure? Stuck at five goals this season with Al-Ittihad, only sixth in the Saudi Pro League and beaten on Monday in the Asian Champions League, the former captain of Real Madrid in any case delivered quite a response on Friday. For the first since the departure of the Portuguese coach, with whom “KB9” was clearly at odds, the 35-year-old striker indeed scored his first hat-trick in Saudi Arabia against Abha (4-2).
With Hassan Khalifa temporarily on the bench, while awaiting the possible arrival of Laurent Blanc, Karim Benzema first converted a penalty (38th), before brilliantly converting two actions in the game in the space of three minutes (67th and 69th). Above all, we were able to enjoy a wonderful assist for Igor Coronado, via a brilliant roulette (54th).
With now eight goals on the clock in the league, the ex-Blues striker is only two lengths behind the current top scorer in the Saudi Pro League, a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. Enough to collectively allow the reigning Saudi Arabian champion to relaunch after five matches without the slightest victory. Now fifth in the standings, Al-Ittihad is still eleven points behind leader Al-Hilal.