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Karim Benzema moves one goal behind Ronaldo – but suffers shock in Damac vs Al Ittihad

Al Ittihad finished fifth last season

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Karim Benzema playing football for Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad

Karim Benzema’s 15th goal of the season in all competitions proved only a consolation as Al-Ittihad suffered a surprise second defeat of the season at Damac in the Saudi Pro League on Monday.

2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema found space to emphatically head in Abdulrahman Al Obud’s right-wing cross deep into first-half added time, bringing his side level after Georges-Kevin Nkoudou had opened the scoring from distance in the 17th minute.

Former Besiktas, Tottenham, Marseille and Nantes winger Nkoudou struck from long range again in the 94th minute, sealing a 2-1 victory for the side who had begun the afternoon four points above the relegation zone and with eight defeats in their first 16 league matches.

Karim Benzema goals

Benzema’s fourth goal in five league games was his 13th in this season’s top flight, putting him one behind top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo’s total of 14 for third-placed Al-Nassr.

Former Fulham and Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is the only other player in double figures in Saudi Arabia, scoring 12 for Al-Hilal.

Benzema has 10 direct goal involvements in six appearances in all competitions since his return from missing three matches through injury in October and November,

The five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid has three more assists than Ronaldo and Mitrovic combined in the league, setting up five goals.

Cameroon international N’Koudou is one of four players on nine goals after scoring for the first time in four matches.

Saudi Pro League table

Al-Ittihad missed out on going three points above Al-Hilal with their first defeat since a 3-1 loss at the leaders on September 21, when Mitrovic scored twice and Benzema netted an 86th-minute reply.

Ronaldo was among the scorers as Al-Nassr won 3-1 at home to Al-Fateh on Sunday, but the Portugal icon’s side are eight points behind Al-Ittihad.

Reigning champions Al-Hilal can take advantage of Al-Ittihad’s slip-up when they visit fourth-placed Al-Qadisiyah later on Monday (5pm GMT).

Benzema Real Madrid stats

Benzema’s 354 goals across 14 years make him Madrid’s second-highest all-time scorer behind former team-mate Ronaldo, who hit 451.

The 2022 World Cup runner-up with France has said in interviews that he sees himself as an ambassador for football in Saudi Arabia who can help entice more elite European footballers to the league.

After leaving Madrid a year before the end 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 goals and eight assists in 29 matches that was low by his prolific standards as Al-Ittihad endured a turbulent 2023/24, finishing without a trophy and sacking current Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo in November.

Former Barcelona sporting director Ramon Planes joined the nine-time champions in the same role he held at the Spanish giants in January, and ex-PSG manager Laurent Blanc had led them to the top of the table since replacing Argentine Marcelo Gallardo in July.

Benzema’s goals this season have included one against Al-Nassr in a 2-1 win in Al-Ittihad’s final match before their winter break.

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Ben Miller

Ben has more than 10 years' experience in sports journalism, covering two EURO tournaments, European club competitions, the Premier League, EFL and WSL and a variety of other major sporting events.

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