Karim Benzema scored his first Saudi Professional League hat trick to assist champions Al Ittihad to a 4-2 house win over Abha in Jeddah on Friday.
Benzema, who moved to Saudi Arabia after leaving Actual Madrid this previous summer season, opened the scoring by changing a Thirty eighth-minute penalty at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.
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The 35-year-old additionally equipped the help for Brazilian Igor Coronado to place the house facet again in entrance after Karl Toko Ekambi had levelled for Abha.
There was lots extra to return from the previous France worldwide as he scored twice in as many minutes halfway via the second half to make the win secure for Al Ittihad. Each objectives got here from medical finishes after Benzema was put one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper following fast breakaways.
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Fahad Bin Jumayah scored a late comfort aim to make the end result a little bit extra respectable for the overmatched Abha.
The sport was Al Ittihad’s first because the membership fired Portuguese coach Nuno Espirito Santo on Tuesday after going 5 league video games with no win. Friday’s victory takes them as much as fifth within the Saudi Professional League standings, 11 factors behind leaders Al Hilal after 13 video games.
Along with his hat trick, Benzema now has eight objectives in 11 league video games this season.
