Benzema scores as Al-Ittihad overwhelm Al-Riyadh to maintain SPL top spot

25.08.2023 - 10:35 arabnews.com

Al-Ittihad maintained their position at the top of the Saudi Pro League after defeating Al-Riyadh 4-0 on Thursday night at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium.

The reigning champions have collected a maximum nine points from their opening three matches of the season. Al-Ittihad’s goals came from Karim Benzema, a double from Abderrazak Hamdallah in the first half, and a stoppage time strike from Saleh Al-Jammaan.

KB9’s goalpic.twitter.com/lwLJU03oLp — Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) August 24, 2023 Newly promoted Al-Ahli also maintained their perfect start to the season by beating Al-Okhdood 1-0 to stay in second place on goal difference.

Meanwhile Al-Ettifaq, the only other club to go into matchday three with a 100 percent record, could only manage a 1-1 draw with Khaleej and dropped to fourth behind Al-Hilal, who returned to winning ways with a 4-0 win at Al-Raed.

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JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian champion Al-Ittihad and their star striker Karim Benzema avoided Manchester City in the semifinals draw Tuesday for the first FIFA Club World Cup to be hosted by the kingdom. The Dec. 12-22 tournament for continental champions and the host nation’s league winner will be played in Al-Ittihad’s home city Jeddah – the latest statement of Saudi ambitions in global soccer including aiming to host the men’s World Cup in 2034. The event will be the last Club World Cup in the current annual format before a 32-team version played every four years starts in June 2025. The inaugural host is the United States. Al-Ittihad will open the seven-team tournament against Auckland City, the champion of Oceania. The winner will advance to face African champion Al-Ahly of Egypt in the second round for a place in the semifinals against the champion of South America. The Copa Libertadores is currently at the semifinals stage featuring Boca Juniors of Argentina and Brazilian clubs Palmeiras, Fluminense and Internacional. Man City, as the champion of Europe, also get direct entry to the semifinals and will play either Club León of Mexico or Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan. The final on Dec. 22 will be played at the 62,000-seat King Abdullah Sports City, home of Al-Ittihad.

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