JEDDAH: Karim Benzema grabbed the headlines on Friday but Al-Ittihad and Al-Taawoun shared the points with a 1-1 draw in this top of-the-table clash in the Roshn Saudi League.
The French striker guarantees goals wherever he goes and did just that in Buraidah, though perhaps not quite in the way that many expected as he netted for both teams.
Going into the game, the defending champions were fourth, two points behind Al-Taawoun in the standings and looking to bounce back from a blip in form that had seen a draw with Al-Fayha followed by a derby loss to Jeddah rivals Al-Ahli.
Ittihad took the lead midway through the first half.
It was made by Igor Coronado. The Brazilian was galloping down the right, had one look into a crowded penalty area and then picked out Benzema with a perfect cross and the current holder of the FIFA Ballon D’Or made it look easy — though it was far from it — to climb and head the ball home from close range for his fourth of the season in his eighth league appearance.
It was a welcome strike for Benzema as it was his first for more than a month, though injury has played a part, and also for Ittihad who had failed to find the net in their two previous league outings. Talk of a goal drought that was beginning to materialize has been put to bed.
After a bright start from Al-Taawoun, who would have gone top above Al-Hilal with victory as they had collected an impressive 22 points from the first nine games of the season, it quietened the fans but they were on their feet after 26 minutes.
There didn’t seem to be much danger when Alvaro Medran floated over a corner but there was Benzema, rising at the near post to head into his own net past the despairing dive of Marcelo Grohe.
The two goals reflected a finely balanced contest but the headlines very nearly went elsewhere as, on the stroke of half-time, Musa Barrow almost scored one of the goals of the season. The Gambian goal-getter was fully 35 meters from goal when he unleashed an unstoppable shot that beat Grohe but cannoned back off the crossbar. It would have been a spectacular strike and he was to hit the woodwork again in the second half.
After the restart, the game ebbed and flowed and both teams looked to turn one point into three. Brazilian goalkeepers Grohe and Mailson both played their part in ensuring that it ended all square.
It was a fitting scoreline and while it means that Ittihad have now not won in their past three league games, coach Nuno Santo should not be too disappointed at taking a point from a team that had won their previous eight league games at home. These days, a draw in Buraidah is a fine result indeed.
And the hosts have shown once again that they can go toe-to-toe with the big boys. After the 2-0 win at Al-Nassr early in the season, Taawoun coach Pericles Chamusca was disappointed to lose an exciting game to Al-Ahli 3-2. It remains the only loss so far in this campaign.
Last season the team were capable of beating any other in the league but a lack of consistency meant a fifth-place finish. At the moment, however, they are picking up regular points and increasingly look like a force to be reckoned with as does Karim Benzema — at both ends of the pitch.
Karim Benzema scores both goals as Al-Ittihad and Al-Taawoun share spoils in SPL clash
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Karim Benzema scores both goals as Al-Ittihad and Al-Taawoun share spoils in SPL clash

- The French striker guarantees goals wherever he goes and did just that in Buraidah
- Going into the game, the defending champions were fourth, two points behind Al-Taawoun in the standings
Green Falcons beat Bahrain to set up FIFA World Cup qualifier showdown with Australia

- Herve Renard's men had to win to push the race for second to Tuesday
RIFFA: Saudi Arabia defeated Bahrain 2-0 in Riffa on Thursday to tee up a showdown with Australia for the second automatic spot in AFC FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C.
With Australia snatching a last-minute victory against already qualified Japan earlier, Herve Renard's men had to win to push the race for second to Tuesday.
The Saudis got off to the perfect start, when on 16 minutes rising star Musab Al Juwayr met captain Salem Al-Dawsari's pinpoint cross to the back post to volley home.
The visitors then survived a few nervy moments in the second half before Abdulrahman Al Obud made safe the result 12 minutes from time with a goal on the counter.
The win keeps Saudi third, three points behind Australia, although with a far inferior goal difference.
Only a huge victory for the Gulf side in Jeddah would see them leapfrog the Socceroos.
Al-Hilal sign Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi as new coach

- Inzaghi, 49, fills role of Jorge Jesus who was fired last month
- First challenge is FIFA Club World Cup from June 14 to July 13
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia giants Al-Hilal announced on Thursday Simone Inzaghi as their new head coach, replacing Jorge Jesus who was fired last month.
The announcement was made in a video posted on the club’s X account shortly after midnight.
“My name is Simone Inzaghi. And today begins my story with Al-Hilal,” he says at the end of the 40-second clip.
He is shown wearing his customary black suit, tying his shoes, putting on a watch and adjusting his tie.
Inzaghi’s Inter Milan suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of PSG in Saturday’s Champions League final, prompting the Italian to step down.
He joined Inter in 2021 and won 141 of 217 games as coach. He was at Serie A rivals Lazio for five years before taking over at Inter.
Al-Hilal parted ways with Portuguese coach Jesus at the start of May, who led the Riyadh team to 83 wins in 105 games, in his second stint with the club.
Defending champions Hilal finished second in the Saudi Pro League, eight points behind Al-Ittihad.
Inzaghi’s first order of business will be in the US, where Al-Hilal will join the best teams in the world, including the 49-year-old’s former side Inter, in the FIFA Club World Cup which runs from June 14 to July 13.
Al-Hilal are drawn in Group H with Real Madrid, Pachuca and Salzburg.
Green Falcons finalize preparations for Bahrain World Cup qualifier

- The squad is scheduled to hold its final training session on Wednesday at Bahrain National Stadium
DHAHRAN: The Saudi Arabian national football team concluded a key training session on Tuesday evening as preparations intensify for their upcoming AFC World Cup qualifier against Bahrain.
Their crucial qualifier will kick off this Thursday as part of the ninth round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Under the guidance of head coach Herve Renard, the Green Falcons trained at Ettifaq Club Stadium in Dammam, with the session featuring warm-ups, passing drills, tactical exercises, and a full-pitch training match between two squads.
The team left for Bahrain after the session.
On the injury front, players Muhannad Al-Saad and Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti continued their respective rehabilitation programs under the supervision of the national team’s medical staff.
The squad is scheduled to hold its final training session on Wednesday at Bahrain National Stadium, with the first 15 minutes open to media coverage.
Saudi national team steps up preparations for Bahrain World Cup qualifier

- Several players were sidelined due to injuries
- Team will hold closed training session on Monday evening
RIYADH: The Saudi national football team resumed training on Sunday evening as preparations intensify for Thursday’s crucial clash against Bahrain in the ninth round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Under the guidance of head coach Herve Renard, the session at Ettifaq Club Stadium featured warm-ups, possession drills, tactical exercises, and stretching routines.
Several players were sidelined due to injuries, including Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, and Jihad Zekr, who was injured during the recent King’s Cup final, as well as Muhannad Al-Saad, who was hurt in a previous friendly.
Mohamed Bakr continued his rehabilitation program, while Muteb Al-Harbi began recovery work with the medical team. Defender Abdulelah Al-Amri took part in recovery drills only.
The team will hold a closed training session on Monday evening as preparations continue.
Green Falcons hold Alkhobar training session in preparation for World Cup qualifiers

- French coach Herve Renard supervised the team as they held a light recovery session
- Team preparations resume tomorrow night with full training session
KHOBAR: The Saudi national football team held a training session on Saturday in Alkhobar, as they continue preparing for the decisive ninth and 10th rounds of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
French coach Herve Renard supervised the team as they held a light recovery session at the health facilities of the Green Falcons’ base camp, a media statement said.
Injured left back Muteb Al-Harbi continued his rehabilitation program under the medical staff’s supervision, while teammate Mohammed Bakr resumed physical training with the team’s fitness coach.
After the recovery session ended, Renard gave the players some free time, with the squad scheduled to return later this evening at their base.
The Green Falcons’ preparations resume tomorrow night with a full training session at 7 p.m. in Ettifaq Club Stadium.
The first 15 minutes of the session will be open to the media to offer a glimpse into the team’s readiness as the qualifiers draw near.
Saudi Arabia stands at third place in Group C with 10 points from eight matches. Japan tops the group on 20 points, while second-place Australia has 13 points.
The Green Falcons play against Bahrain on June 5 and Australia on June 10.