Karim Benzema: Ex Real Madrid Forward Scores Own Goal in Asian Champions League Game, Video

• Karim Benzema committed a blunder in the Asian Champions League
• His error, a bizarre own goal, gave the visitors the lead in the first half
• Benzema's blushes were spared after Al-Ittihad rallied to claim the win

Karim Benzema committed a big misstep during Al-Ittihad's AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash with Navbahor Namangan at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Thursday.

Starting in his second consecutive game of the year, the Frenchman faced a nightmarish beginning to the crucial match in Jeddah, putting his own team behind in the first half.

Benzema scores own goal

According to GOAL, in the 25th minute, Benzema inadvertently scored an own goal, giving the Uzbekistan club the lead. The unfortunate incident occurred when a free kick was delivered into Al-Ittihad's box.

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Despite being on defensive duty, the 36-year-old unintentionally headed the ball into his own net.

The own goal provided the visitors with an undeserved advantage, as the Tigers had dominated much of the game in their pursuit of an opening goal.

Instead, Benzema's header - seen as a wayward clearance attempt - saw his team score at the wrong end.

Al-Ittihad beat Navbahor despite Benzema error

Benzema also found himself in the spotlight for positive and negative reasons as Al-Ittihad came from behind to defeat Navbahor Namangan 2-1, Sports Brief also reported.

Despite dominating the early stages of the match, the Saudi Arabian side conceded the opening goal against the run of play when the Frenchman inadvertently scored an own goal.

However, Benzema redeemed himself by assisting Moroccan forward, Abderrazak Hamdallah, from a corner kick, with Toma Tabatadze's own goal assisting Al-Ittihad's comeback.

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How Suarez nearly replaced Benzema at Real

Sports Brief also reported on Luis Suarez stating Real Madrid expressed interest in signing him as a backup for Benzema in 2014, amid strong rumours linking the French forward with a move to Arsenal at the time.

In 2014, the Uruguayan legend was a key player for Liverpool and had just completed an outstanding season in England, winning both the European Golden Shoe and the PFA Players' Player of the Year accolades.

Suarez said Madrid had also shown a keen interest in his services ahead of the summer window, considering him a potential replacement for Benzema, who was reportedly on the verge of joining rivals, the Gunners.