Karim Benzema marked his Al-Hilal debut with a sensational performance, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist as the Saudi Pro League leaders crushed Al-Akhdoud 6-0 at the Prince Hathloul Bin Absulaziz Sport City Stadium in Najran on Thursday.
The 38-year-old French striker joined Al-Hilal on Monday after reportedly rejecting an offer to extend his contract with Al-Ittihad, who he joined on a free transfer in 2023 following 14 years at Real Madrid.
Benzema made an immediate impact, opening the scoring shortly after the half-hour mark with a stylish back-heel finish from a loose ball in the box. He doubled Al-Hilal’s lead with a close-range drive in the 60th minute and completed his hat-trick just four minutes later with another clinical effort.
In addition to his goals, Benzema set up Malcom for Al-Hilal’s fourth goal before being substituted in the 71st minute. Speaking after the match, Benzema said: “It was an important game today. We are happy – we played well, kept a clean sheet, and scored, so we are happy. Everybody has been good with me; they give me everything, so when I am on the pitch I give everything for them.”
Salem Al-Dawsari, the AFC Player of the Year for 2025, added two more goals to complete the emphatic win.
