Karim Benzema announced himself in spectacular fashion on his Al Hilal debut, scoring a hat-trick as the Saudi Pro League leaders hammered bottom-placed Al Okhdood 6-0. The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner completed a surprising move from Al-Ittihad just two days earlier after contract talks with his former club fell through, and he wasted no time making an immediate impact in Riyadh.
The match started cautiously, with an early attempt from Salem Al-Dawsari in the 19th minute initially thought to have given Al Hilal the lead, only for VAR to intervene. The breakthrough finally came in the 31st minute when Nasser Al-Dawsari delivered a precise pass to Benzema, who calmly slotted home to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
Al Hilal took control after halftime, with Benzema doubling the lead in the 60th minute off an assist from Malcom. Four minutes later, he completed his hat-trick, converting a cross from Salem Al-Dawsari to make it 3-0. Benzema then set up Malcom for the fourth goal in the 70th minute before leaving the field to a standing ovation. Salem Al-Dawsari capped the scoring with two late goals in the 74th and 90+3rd minutes, both assisted by Malcom, rounding off a dominant 6-0 victory.
The win keeps Al Hilal atop the Saudi Pro League with 50 points from 20 matches, while Al Okhdood remains anchored at the bottom with just 10 points. Benzema, named man of the match, described his new club as “Real Madrid in Asia,” and his debut performance certainly lived up to the hype.
With this electrifying start, Benzema instantly becomes a key figure in Al Hilal’s title chase and sets the tone for what promises to be a historic season in Saudi football.
