First time as captain and first goal in the Saudi Professional League
Juanmi debuted in the ranks of Al Riyadh
With his first goal in the Professional League of Saudi Arabia and as captain for the first time, Karim Benzema put Al Ittihad on track to win against Al Riyadh of the Spanish newcomer Juanmi (0-3) and maintains the full record of wins in the competition.
The former Real Madrid playervery active throughout the clash that he shared eleven with the French Ngolo Kanté and the Brazilian Fabinhoamong others, beat Al Riyadn, installed in the middle of the table and which had the reinforcement of ex-Bético Juanmi, starter.
Benzema opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a pass from Romarinho and, later, a brace from the Moroccan Abderrazak Hamdalla, one from a penalty, rounded off the triumph of the Portuguese team Nuno Espirito Santo who got the win in added time thanks to Saleh Al Amri and who commands the table with nine points in three games and thanks to the goal difference. He has scored nine and has not conceded as many.
Two points behind Al Ittihad is Neymar’s Al Hilal, who has not yet played, injured. Bono, Ruben Neves, Aleksandr Mitrovic, Malcom and Sergei Milinkovic Savic, who was sent off in the final stretch, were part of his team in the away win against Al Raed.
Mitrovic, two goals from Salem Al Dawsari and another from Abdullah Al Hamdam brought another success to Jorge Jesús’ team, who is third in the standings.
Besides, Gabri Veiga’s next team, Al Ahli, won in added time with a goal from former Barcelona player Frank Kessie a pass from Roberto Firmino in a team that also included the Moroccan Riyad Mahrez to overcome Al Akhdoud and also maintain the full number of victories that equal Al Ittihad although with a worse goal difference.
Jordan Henderson and Moussa Dembele’s Al Ettifaq drew with Al Khaleej (1-1) while Al Wehda beat Al Taee (0-3) away.