Engaged in the semi-final of the Club World Cup with his club Al-Ittihad, Karim Benzema missed a penalty and was unable to prevent the elimination of his team this Friday, against the Egyptians of Al Ahly (3- 1).
The adventure is over for Al-Ittihad. Facing the Egyptian club Al Ahly on Friday, the team of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté failed at the quarter-final stage. The turning point of the match surely took place at the very end of the first period, when Karim Benzema rushed to try to score the equalizing penalty. A shot deflected by the opposing goalkeeper, and a match which definitely turned in favor of Al Ahly, final winner with a score of 3-1.
The first period was also a story of penalties since Al Ahly opened the scoring in this way through Ali Maaloul (1-0, 21st). In the forty-fifth minute, Karim Benzema came up against the opposing goalkeeper with a shot that was too weak and poorly adjusted. A turning point since in the second half, the Egyptian team hit the nail on the head twice. First on the break goal scored by Hussein El Shahat (2-0, 59th), then thanks to Eman Ashour (3-0, 62nd).
The penalty missed by Karim Benzema!
The Al Ittihad striker could have allowed his team to equalize, but the former Real striker’s strike was sorely lacking in force
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— THE TEAM (@lequipe) December 15, 2023
The 2022 Ballon d’Or saves honor
Throughout the match, but unfortunately far too late for him and his team, Karim Benzema still saved the honor by reducing the gap in stoppage time (3-1, 90th + 2). Note that Anthony Modeste, who came on in the 87th minute for Al Ahly, only remained on the pitch for three minutes since he was sent off in the 90th minute for a nasty gesture with his arm against an opponent.
Karim Benzema closes the gap for Al-Ittihad!
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— THE TEAM (@lequipe) December 15, 2023
His team will nonetheless compete in the semi-finals of the competition. It will be next December 18 against the Brazilians of Fluminense.