Be careful, Karim Benzema is in great shape. Author of 10 goals in 10 days of the championship, the French striker largely contributes to the first place of his Al-Ittihad team in the Saudi Pro League. But the “Nueve” also shines in the Cup.
This Tuesday, the poster for the quarter-finals of the Kings Cup pitted Al-Hilal against Al-Ittihad. And thanks in particular to a double from Benzema, Laurent Blanc’s team managed to eliminate the double title holder on their home field (2-2, 1-3 tab).
A first trophy for Benzema?
On a good cross from Steven Bergwijn, Benzema opened the scoring, eliminating Ruben Neves with a nice control, before adjusting Yassine Bounou (0-1, 63rd). Without Neymar, still injured, Al-Hilal equalized through Salem Al-Dawsari (1-1, 72nd) before taking the advantage in overtime through Marcos Leonardo (2-1, 102nd). But Benzema had not said his last word, and the 2022 Ballon d’Or allowed his team to come back to the score by once again deceiving Bounou, at the near post (2-2, 114th).
During the penalty shootout, the former Madrilenian succeeded in his attempt, just like Fabinho and Danilo Pereira, while the Al-Hilal players experienced three failures. So here is Benzema in the semi-final of the Kings Cup, and in position to win his first trophy in Saudi Arabia.
