Benzema wins award however attracts clean as leaders concede last-gasp penalty

Karim Benzema failed to maneuver above Cristiano Ronaldo within the Saudi Professional League high scorer standings as Al-Ittihad conceded a 96th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with an Al-Khaleej aspect 27 factors beneath them at Dammam’s Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium.

Al-Ittihad solely managed their first try on course within the thirty fourth minute, when Benzema’s low strike from contained in the field was held by former Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic.

Al-Khaleej, who’re nearer to the relegation zone than the highest 5, had the higher of the primary half and have been unlucky to not go forward when Abdulla Al Salem’s drive was turned behind by Predrag Rajkovic.

Laurent Blanc’s staff have been much-improved after the break and appeared the extra harmful, with former Premier League Participant of the Season N’Golo Kante driving them ahead.

Winger Abdulrahman Alobud tapped them forward within the 78th minute on a day when Benzema was offered with the division’s Objective of the Week award for the previous France striker’s effort in Al-Ittihad’s 4-1 comeback win over title rivals Al-Hilal 4 days earlier.

After centre-back Saad Al-Mousa dealt with contained in the field, former Greece midfielder Kostas Fortounis slotted within the hosts’ spot kick to earn the ninth-placed staff a deserved level.

Make that 4⃣ 🇬🇷

Kostas Fortounis gave Al Khaleej the equaliser deep into stoppage time ⏱️#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/EEqtTXIxHs

— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) February 26, 2025

Benzema vs Ronaldo

2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema has 16 targets and 7 assists within the 2024/25 Professional League, with Ronaldo additionally scoring 16 however contributing 4 fewer assists for Al-Nassr.

5-time Ballon d’Or recipient Ronaldo put his staff forward within the forty eighth minute of their 2-0 win at Al-Wehda on Tuesday, with two-time African Footballer of the 12 months Sadio Mane including their second throughout added time.

Benzema failed to attain for the primary time in 4 matches, having produced three targets and two assists in his earlier three video games.

With 12 matches remaining, Al-Ittihad’s failure to win for less than the fourth time in 22 league video games this season means they’re 5 factors away from Al-Hilal and 9 above Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, who’re stage on factors with Al-Qadisiyah.

Benzema Actual Madrid stats

Benzema’s 354 targets throughout 14 years for Actual Madrid make him the Spanish giants’ second-highest all-time scorer behind former team-mate Ronaldo, who hit 451.

The 2022 World Cup runner-up with France has stated in interviews that he sees himself as an envoy for soccer in Saudi Arabia who may also help entice extra elite European footballers to the league.

After leaving Madrid a yr earlier than the tip of his contract, Benzema joined Al-Ittihad on a three-year contract in 2023.

Benzema in Saudi Arabia

The 37-year-old’s first season in Saudi Arabia produced a return of 13 targets and eight assists in 29 matches that was low by his prolific requirements as Al-Ittihad endured a turbulent 2023/24, ending with no trophy and sacking present Nottingham Forest supervisor Nuno Espirito Santo in November.

Former Barcelona sporting director Ramon Planes joined the nine-time champions in the identical position he held on the Spanish giants in January, and ex-PSG supervisor Blanc had led them to the highest of the desk since changing Argentine Marcelo Gallardo in July.

Benzema’s targets this season have included one towards Al-Nassr in a 2-1 win in Al-Ittihad’s last match earlier than their winter break.