Al-Hilal 4-0 Al-Najma: Benzema at the double in convincing win

  /  autty

Karim Benzema scored twice as Al-Hilal routed 10-man Al-Najma 4-0 in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

Benzema scored in each half after Nasser Al-Haleel was sent off at Kingdom Arena, with Malcom and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic also on target in a comprehensive win.

Salem Al Dawsari drew the foul that saw Al Haleel sent off, and then clipped in a fine left-wing cross for Benzema to power home his header at the near post two minutes before the break.

Milinkovic-Savic met Al Dawsari's teasing cross only to be denied by Victor Braga on the hour, but the Serbian played a brilliant ball across the face of goal for Benzema to flick home his second with nine minutes remaining.

It was 3-0 when Malcom headed into an unguarded goal after Theo Hernandez's initial shot cannoned off the post.

The full-back was denied by Braga shortly after, but the rebound fell kindly for Milinkovic-Savic to slide in and get himself on the scoresheet to leave Al-Hilal third but just one point off the top.

Data Debrief: Benzema and Milinkovic-Savic get the job done

Benzema was at his clinical best for Al-Hilal, scoring with both of his shots on target and outperforming a personal xG of 1.38.

Milinkovic-Savic had a big impact with a goal and an assist. His strike was a matter of perseverance, as he registered six shots in total during the game.

Al-Najma were not helped by Al-Haleel's red card, but the visitors finished with an xG of just 0.02 – registering just a solitary shot during the game, which was at least on target.

Related: Al Hilal Benzema Malcom
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