Al-Kholood 0-4 Al-Ittihad: Benzema hat-trick punishes 10-man hosts

Karim Benzema netted a first-half hat-trick to propel Al-Ittihad to a 4-0 win over Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

The hosts went down to 10 men early on after William Troost-Ekong’s dismissal, and Al-Ittihad took advantage to record their fifth straight league win.

It was a nightmare opening 15 minutes for Al-Kholood, who saw captain Troost-Ekong sent off after just eight minutes for a last-man foul on Benzema. His yellow card was upgraded following a VAR review.

From Moussa Diaby’s resulting free-kick on the edge of the box, Al-Ittihad were awarded a 13th-minute penalty following another VAR review as Myziane Maolida deflected his shot out for a corner with his hand.

Benzema made no mistake with the spot-kick, emphatically drilling it past Juan Pablo Cozzani. And he doubled his tally just 15 minutes later after peeling away at the back post to meet Muhannad Al Shanqiti’s brilliant right-sided delivery.

Benzema then got his hat-trick in the 35th minute, getting between two Al-Kholood defenders to turn Diaby’s low centre in from close range.

Steven Bergwijn saw an effort on the half-turn smothered just before the break, and Al-Ittihad remained in control in the second half, with Cozzani making a stunning save to deny Benzema a fourth by tipping his tight-angled volley wide.

Al Shanqiti then thundered a long-range effort against the right post late on, before Saleh Al Shehri tapped in a deserved fourth goal from Ahmed Al Ghamdi’s delivery.

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— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) January 9, 2026

Data Debrief: Benzema runs it back

No player can better Benzema’s tally of seven goals this season, while he has now netted two hat-tricks already this campaign, with this treble following the one he scored on the opening day against Al-Okhdood.

But he led by example, having a game-high five shots worth 2.09 expected goals (xG). He also had nine touches in the opposition box and three ‘big’ chances.

Al-Ittihad are now unbeaten in their last nine league away games (W7 D2), while Al-Kholood have lost each of their last five home matches in the competition.