New Delhi: Karim Benzema scored in Al Itihad’s debut match to help them beat ES Tunis in the Arab Club Champions Cup. The 35-year-old forward joined the Saudi Pro League champions last month after retiring from Real Madrid, signing a three-year contract.
After Cristiano Ronaldo, he is the second major player to move to a Middle Eastern country, and has been followed by many star players in Europe.
Al Ittihad fans are excited to see what the team’s front office has been up to this year. They have signed some stars this summer, but of course Karim Benzema is considered the greatest of them all. The former Real Madrid player came with high hopes.
Abderrazak Hamdallah gives Al Ittihad first breakthough
Now, in his first game at his new club, Benzema has proven his worth by playing a key role in his side’s victory over ES Tunis in the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup. In the first half of 1-0 draws against ES Tunis and Al Ittihad, Benzema set up Abderrazak Hamdallah’s excellent header to equalize.
Karim Benzema scores on debut
In the second half, the French striker received the ball on the left side of the field and ran into the center to score a superb goal that sealed Al Ittihad’s eventual 2-1 win.
Al Ittihad were on the back foot, but Ousemma Bugera’s volley gave Tunis the lead in the 26th minute. However, the Saudi club equalized six minutes later when Abderrazak Hamdallah headed in a Benzema cross from close range to score the winner.
KB9 🐅
Booom Boom 💥 pic.twitter.com/ueE9KNdTpV— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) July 27, 2023
N’Golo Kante also debut for Al Ittihad
N’Golo Kante, who joined on a free transfer from Chelsea, also made his club debut after coming off the bench. Al Ittihad have won the Arab Club Champions Cup only once in the club’s history in the 2004/2005 season and hope to add more victories this year. On Sunday they will face Tunisian club CS Sfaxien in the second match of the competition.
