Saudi Pro League: Benzema injured as Al Ittihad extend perfect start to season

Al Ittihad extended their perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season by easing past Al Wehda 3-0 on Monday night, but the victory was soured somewhat by an injury to star striker Karim Benzema.

Benzema, the reigning Ballon d'or holder, was forced to leave the pitch towards the end of the first half and Ittihad have confirmed that the 35-year-old Frenchman has sustained a muscle injury. Benzema appeared to land awkwardly when challenging for the ball and fell to the turf clutching his leg.

The injury means Benzema is a doubt for Friday's Saudi clasico between Ittihad and Al Hilal.

"The team captain and star player, Karim Benzema, was forced to leave the field during the first half of the match against Al Wehda Club ... because of a muscle injury," Ittihad posted on social media.

"He will be undergoing medical tests in the upcoming hours to precisely diagnose the injury and determine the required course of treatment."

Benzema was replaced by fellow summer signing Jota and the Portuguese winger made his mark on the match by scoring Ittihad's second goal in the 67th minute, finishing from a tight angle after latching on to classy pass from playmaker Igor Coronado.

Four minutes earlier, Brazilian forward Romarinho had broken the deadlock with a superb long-range strike.

Romarinho then had a hand in Ittihad's third goal when he played the ball into Coronado's path in the 73rd minute, but his fellow Brazilian still had plenty of work to do. Fortunately for Coronado, the Wehda defence did not put him under pressure and he was able to carry the ball into the penalty area unchallenged before firing into the bottom corner.

The victory at King Abdul Aziz Stadium was Ittihad's fourth from as many games and the Jeddah giants are yet