Out-of-form Al-Hilal and former Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema finally broke his four-month goal duck as Al-Ittihad qualify for the Saudi Super Cup final.
The Real Madrid legend scored the quickest Saudi Super Cup goal in 53 seconds as the Saudi Pro League champions edged out Al-Wehda 2-1 to set up a rollercoaster final matchup with Al-Hilal.
It was a breakthrough goal for the French forward, who had endured a dragging goal drought with Al-Ittihad after an initial promising start.
Before the opener against Al-Wehda, Karim Benzema last scored for Al-Hilal on December 15, 2023. The goals dried up after he recorded 9 goals and 7 assists for Al-Ittihad, and was tipped to join his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League Golden Boot.
However, things took a turn for the worst with the one-time Ballon d’Or winner confessing recently he needed help to return to the apex of his game.
According to him, he has struggled to pick form in his first season with Al-Ittihad because of adaptation problems and is hoping to breath life back into his career soon.
Now, a sudden bursts of hope has lit the gloom as he returns to goalscoring ways in the game against Al-Wehda.
The former Lyon forward will be hoping to clinch his first silverware on his debut campaign in the Saudi elite division as the club ace through to the final of the competition.
Hamdallah scored three minutes from the end of first half to double the lead for Al-Ittihad before Al Eisa nailed home a late consolation to make the scoreline more respectable.
In the other semifinal clash, SPL title hopefuls Al-Hilal put Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr to the sword with a 2-1 victory to reach the final with Ronaldo seening red card for elbowing opponent.
