Karim Benzema delivered a devastating first-half performance as Al-Ittihad overwhelmed Al-Kholood 4-0 away from home, continuing their upward momentum in the Saudi Pro League.
Karim Benzema delivered a devastating first-half performance as Al-Ittihad overwhelmed Al-Kholood 4-0 away from home, continuing their upward momentum in the Saudi Pro League.
The holders of the title now sit fifth in the standings after collecting 26 points from 13 outings, though the gap to pace-setters Al-Hilal remains nine points.
Al-Nassr occupy second place on 31 points, level with Al-Taawoun but ahead on goal difference, while Al-Qadsiah stay fourth with 27.
What initially looked like a challenging assignment for Al-Kholood quickly turned bleak following an early dismissal that tilted the contest heavily in the visitors’ favour.
Any hopes of resistance were damaged inside eight minutes when William Troost-Ekong was shown a straight red card, leaving the hosts with a numerical disadvantage almost from kickoff.
Al-Ittihad soon took control and made it count in the 13th minute, Benzema calmly converting from the spot to give his side the lead.
The French forward struck again before the half-hour, finishing a move created by Muhannad Al-Shanqiti to double the advantage.
Benzema completed his hat-trick five minutes later, applying a simple close-range touch after Moussa Diaby delivered a low ball across goal.
The contest was effectively settled by the interval, but Al-Ittihad maintained their authority until the end.
Saleh Al-Shehri added a fourth goal late on, sealing a fourth consecutive league victory and underlining the visitors’ resurgence.
Earlier, Al-Taawoun responded to last week’s setback by defeating Al-Shabab 2-0 at home, with the visitors reduced to 10 men after Mohammed Al-Shwirekh’s dismissal.
Roger Martinez scored from the penalty spot before Angelo Fulgini extended the lead in stoppage time, keeping Al-Taawoun third.
Elsewhere, Al-Khaleej produced a convincing 4-0 success against Damac, who also played most of the match a man short, leaving the winners ninth and Damac 14th in the table.
