Karim Benzema Strikes As Al Ittihad Maintain Perfect Start to Saudi Pro League With Heavy Win

• Al-Ittihad maintained their 100 per cent start to the Saudi Pro League season
• The defending champions hammered Al Riyadh 4-0 on Thursday
• Karim Benzema and Abderrazak Hamdallah were on target in the rout

Al-Ittihad continued their flawless start to their title defence with a convincing 4-0 triumph over Al Riyadh on Thursday evening at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.

The Tigers extended their winning streak to three in the Saudi Pro League, solidifying their lead in the league standings under Nuno Espirito Santo's management.

The marquee summer signing, Karim Benzema, finally ended his goal drought in the Pro League with a brilliant team play, finding the net 17 minutes into the match, Fan Nation reports.

He then graciously handed penalty duties to his partner-in-crime, Abderrazak Hamdallah, who confidently notched his third goal of the season just eight minutes after Benzema's opener, per SportBIBLE.

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Hamdallah, the prolific Moroccan striker, added to the spectacle with a goal-of-the-season contender, executing an overhead kick after a well-placed pass from Al Olayan, sending Ittihad into halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead.

In the second half, the defending Saudi Pro League champions eased off the gas pedal but delivered a fourth goal in stoppage time, further compounding the hosts' woes.

Al Riyadh's missed penalty in the 89th minute prevented them from reducing the deficit, allowing the Jeddah-based giants to maintain their spotless defensive record after three games played.

Up next is another away encounter, facing Al Wehda, who are on a two-game winning streak, at the King Abdul Aziz Stadium on Monday, August 28.

Benzema gifts penalty to teammate

In the same game, Benzema displayed a remarkable act of sportsmanship during Al-Ittihad's Saudi Pro League showdown against Al Riyadh by selflessly passing up the opportunity to take a penalty.

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The 35-year-old ended the game's goal drought by securing his debut goal in the Saudi top flight. This pivotal goal ignited Ittihad's offensive momentum, resulting in two more goals, masterfully executed by the prolific Moroccan striker, Hamdallah.

Notably, the reigning Ballon d'Or holder graciously entrusted his strike partner with the penalty, which proved flawless as Hamdallah confidently converted it.

Al Ittihad debunk Benzema sack rumours

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Al-Ittihad have debunked rumours that Karim Benzema is set to leave the Saudi Pro League club just months after signing from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The Tigers have denied the reports and insist Benzema is happy after posting a short clip of the forward smiling in one of the club’s facilities.