August 02, (THEWILL) – In the third round of the Arab Club Champions Cup, Al-Ittihad emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Iraqi club Al-Shorta, thanks to a late goal from Karim Benzema.
The French striker, who recently joined Al-Ittihad, was on the scoresheet again, netting a crucial penalty in the 84th minute to seal a triumph for his new team. With this victory, Al-Ittihad took the top spot in their group, earning a place in the quarter-finals. Benzema’s performance has been a beacon of hope for the Saudi Arabian club and his contributions have undoubtedly fuelled the team’s ambitions in the tournament.
The arrival of the 35-year-old at Al-Ittihad has proven to be a game-changer for the Saudi outfit. In each of the three official matches the former Real Madrid star has played, he has scored to announce his intentions to come to the Saudi Pro League. The club’s strategic acquisitions in the summer transfer window, including the likes of N’Golo Kanté and Fabinho, have added to their strength and strengthened their ambition and determination to make a mark in the competition.
As they gear up for the quarter-finals, Al-Ittihad will face a tough challenge against Al-Hilal, who have also bolstered their squad with notable signings such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Malcom, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Ruben Neves, the latter two contributing to their 2-1 victory over Wydad AC.
With Al-Ittihad’s strong performance and Benzema’s exceptional form, the stage is set for an exhilarating clash between the Saudi Arabian giants in the quarter-finals. Old and new fans of Saudi football will undoubtedly be eager to see how the rest of their campaign unfolds in the Arab Club Champions Cup.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
