Karim Benzema Provides Assist On Saudi Pro League Debut As Champions Al-Ittihad Start New Season With Convincing Away Win
Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho made their Saudi Pro League debuts on Monday as Al-Ittihad won 3-0 away at Al-Raed.
Benzema set up Abderrazak Hamdallah for the opening goal before Igor Coronado scored Al-Ittihad's second and third.
This was Benzema's first game in domestic Saudi soccer, but it was his fifth appearance for the Jeddah club overall. The former Real Madrid striker had scored three goals in four appearances at this summer's Arab Club Champions Cup.
Benzema did not get on the scoresheet on Monday but he looked sharp as he completed the full 90 minutes in Buraidah.
The 35-year-old registered an assist in the 58th minute when he spearheaded a counter-attack and played a pass into the path of Hamdallah.
Moroccan Hamdallah - who was last season's Golden Boot winner in the Saudi Pro League with 21 goals - jinked past two defenders before hammering a powerful shot past Ahmad Al Harbi.
Coronado doubled Al-Ittihad's lead with a fabulous curling finish from the corner of the 18-yard box in the 73rd minute.
Kante was then denied a debut goal when his long-range effort was saved by Al Harbi. But Coronado converted from the subsequent rebound to put the result beyond doubt.
Former Chelsea star Kante was substituted off moments later but fellow ex-EPL midfielder Fabinho completed the full game.