BENZEMA SCORES HAT-TRICK ON AL-HILAL DEBUT – Al-Hilal remain unbeaten this season in the league
Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick on his debut for Al-Hilal as the Saudi Pro-League table toppers extended their lead at the summit to three points by putting six past Al Akhdoud.
The 38-year-old Frenchman also registered an assist, as he took his goals tally for the season to 11 in sensational style, following his shock departure from Al-Ittihad in the January transfer window, which has reportedly left Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo ‘on strike’.
Al-Hilal, title rivals with Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, remain unbeaten this season in the league, with Malcom and Salem Al-Dawsari (2) also on target for Simone Inzaghi’s side. It’s the second time Benzema has registered a hat-trick against Al Akhdoud this season, a side deep in the relegation zone with just 10 points and two wins to their name this campaign.
Al-Nassr will take on Benzema’s old side, and reigning champions, Al-Ittihad today, as they aim to reduce Al-Hilal’s lead in the title race to just a singular point. Ronaldo is yet to win the league whilst in Saudi Arabia, and is reportedly unhappy with the level of backing afforded to his side by the Public Investment Fund, the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund.


