Karim Benzema made a sensational debut for Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal on Thursday, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist as his side routed Al-Akhdoud 6-0.
The 38-year-old French striker joined Al-Hilal on Monday, reportedly turning down a contract extension with Al-Ittihad, where he had played since 2023 following 14 years at Real Madrid.
Benzema wasted no time making an impact. He opened the scoring shortly after the 30-minute mark with a stylish back-heel finish from a loose ball inside the box. He then doubled the lead in the 60th minute with a low, close-range drive, before completing his hat-trick just four minutes later with another clinical effort.
The forward also set up Malcom for Al-Hilal’s fourth goal, before being substituted in the 71st minute.
“It was an important game today. So we are happy, we play well, we do a clean sheet and we score so we are happy,” Benzema said. “Everybody is good with me they give me everything so when I am on the pitch I give everything for them.”
Salem Al-Dawsari, the AFC Player of the Year for 2025, added a brace to complete Al-Hilal’s emphatic win.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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