Karim Benzema shines as Al-Ittihad crushes Ettifaq 4-0
- Karim Benzema returned from injury and made an immediate impact in the match against Ettifaq.
- He scored Al-Ittihad's third goal and assisted Kante for the opening goal.
- Al-Ittihad's win keeps them on top of the league, while Ettifaq faces increased pressure due to their poor form.
In Saudi Arabia, Karim Benzema marked his return from injury with an impressive performance, helping Al-Ittihad secure a decisive 4-0 victory over Ettifaq. The match, which took place on a Saturday, featured Benzema's contributions of one goal and two assists, signifying his significant impact after missing the previous four games due to a muscle injury. The game showcased his synergy with teammates, especially N'Golo Kante, as the two combined effectively to dismantle Ettifaq's defense. During the match, Benzema initially scored after 27 minutes, but it was disallowed for offside upon VAR review. Shortly afterward, he assisted Kante, who opened the scoring from just inside the penalty area. Benzema then extended Al-Ittihad's lead with a close-range goal early in the second half, bringing his league goal tally to nine, which tied him with Cristiano Ronaldo for league scoring. The match also saw Houssem Aouar and Steven Bergwin add to the scoreline, ensuring an emphatic win for the league leaders. Ettifaq, currently struggling in the league, has now gone nine games without a win, putting immense pressure on their coach Steven Gerrard, who has been in charge since July 2023. The club is in a precarious position, merely three points above the relegation zone, and the recent performance has raised questions about the team's management and the future of its coaching staff. Following a series of unsatisfactory results, the club had previously released Dean Holden, Gerrard's assistant coach, which Gerrard commented on, emphasizing that such decisions were ultimately up to the board of directors. With this victory, Al-Ittihad remains at the top of the Saudi Pro League, maintaining a two-point lead over Al-Hilal, who managed to win their match against Al-Shabab. This performance illustrates the rising competitiveness of the league, with notable figures like Benzema and Ronaldo drawing attention and elevating the standard of play. The juxtaposition of Al-Ittihad's success and Ettifaq's troubles showcases the challenges teams face within the league, especially for less established sides.