In an exceptional night of football that witnessed a strong comeback for Al-Ittihad, the club achieved a resounding and well-deserved 4-0 victory over Al-Akhdoud in a thrilling match that took place as part of the fourteenth round of the Saudi Professional League. French star Karim Benzema stole the show with a hat-trick that brought back memories of his international exploits, confirming his determination to lead the team to the top of the standings.
Match details and turning point
Al-Ittihad entered the match with clear attacking intentions, although Al-Akhdoud were the first to threaten with a powerful shot from Mizan Maoulida in the third minute. However, the brilliance of Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic prevented the net from being breached early. The pivotal turning point of the match came in the eighth minute when the referee showed a red card to Al-Akhdoud defender, Nigerian William Troost-Ekong, forcing the visitors to play with ten men and giving Al-Ittihad complete control of the field.
Benzema sets up a circus in Jeddah
Al-Ittihad capitalized on their numerical advantage with astute tactical play. Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a perfectly executed penalty into the top corner. The former Ballon d'Or winner wasn't finished there, adding a second goal in the 28th minute after a pinpoint cross from Muhannad Al-Shanqiti. He then completed his hat-trick in the 35th minute, taking advantage of a defensive mix-up inside the penalty area, cementing his status as a top-class player and redeeming himself in front of the Al-Ittihad fans.
The second half and confirmation of the victory
In the second half, Al-Ittihad continued their dominance, looking to increase their goal tally. Steven Bergwijn threatened the goal on several occasions, but Al-Akhdoud goalkeeper Juan Pablo Cosani made a number of crucial saves, including a clear-cut chance for Benzema. Before the final whistle, international striker Saleh Al-Shehri made his mark, scoring the fourth goal in the 84th minute after a brilliant team move and a decisive pass from Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, completing the rout.
The importance of winning and the context of competition in the Roshan League
With this resounding victory, Al-Ittihad raised its tally to 26 points, strengthening its position in fifth place and continuing to put pressure on the top four teams, while Al-Akhdoud's tally remained frozen at 12 points in twelfth place, putting it in a precarious position in the struggle for the safe zones.
This victory takes on special significance in the context of the Saudi League this season, which is witnessing unprecedented competition thanks to international signings. Al-Ittihad's return to winning ways and the brilliance of their star player Karim Benzema send a powerful message to their rivals that "The Dean," the champions of the penultimate season, remain a force to be reckoned with, capable of competing and securing a spot in Asian championships, relying on their rich history and vast fan base eagerly awaiting the team's return to the podium.
