Al-Riyadh 0-4 Al-Ittihad: Saudi champions cruising, Benzema nets 1st league goal

Karim Benzema scored his first Saudi Pro League goal as Al-Ittihad thrashed Al-Riyadh 4-0 on Thursday.

Match Report

The Real Madrid legend joined the Saudi champions after penning a three year deal worth £258million this summer and helped his side cruise to victory by opening the scoring in the 17th minute.

After starting the attack with a run from the halfway line, Benzema later picked up the ball close to the penalty spot and coolly slotted his strike past Al-Riyadh goalkeeper Martin Campagna.

Benzema started alongside former Premier League stars Fabinho and N'Golo Kante, who also opted to join the Saudi Pro League on lucrative contracts this summer.

Moroccan midfielder Abderrazak Hamdallah doubled Al-Ittihad's lead from the penalty spot before making it three on the cusp of half-time.

Substitute Saleh Al-Amri put the game to bed in the 93rd minute with a fourth goal, keeping Al-Ittihad at the top of the league ahead of Al-Ahli on goal difference.

Al-Ittihad have expressed interest in signing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, but Mail Sport reported on Thursday evening that the Reds are adamant he is not for sale.

The move would make Salah the highest-paid player in the Saudi Pro League, ahead of Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo who is on £175million per season.

Line-ups

Al Riyadh XI: Knowledge Musona, Campana, Tosca, Juanmi, Amiri Kurdi, Dino Arslanagic, Birama Touré, Ahmed Asiri, Ali Al-Zaqan, Ndong, Abdulelah Al Khaibari

Subs: Fahad Al-Rashidi, Abdulhadi Al-Harajin, Rakan Al-Najar, Khalid Al-Shuwayyi, Saleh Al-Abbas, Abduallah Al-Dosari, Mohammed Al-Aqel, Mohammed Al Shwirekh

Ittihad Club XI: Benzema, Marcelo Grohe, Romarinho, Omar Hawsawi, Igor Coronado, Kante, Fabinho, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Madallah Al-Olayan, Ahmed Sharahili, Zakaria Hawsawi

Subs: Saleh Jamaan Al-Amri, Jota, Ahmed Bamsaud, Muhannad Shanqeeti, Sultan Al-Farhan, Haroune Camara, Osama Al-Mermesh, Marwan Al-Sahafi, Farhah Al-Shamrani