Goals, spectacle at times at the start of the second act, but not necessarily all the stars we expected. This Tuesday evening was a clash between the 2nd and 6th of the Saudi League, the popular championship in recent months in search of international sporting recognition. On the lawn of the King Abdallah stadium in Jeddah, victory finally went to the highest ranked Al-Nassr (2-5). A broad and more than logical success between two teams with opposing dynamics.
On paper, this poster was first worth a look for the reunion of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. A duo who brought happiness to Real Madrid for nine seasons, with four Champions Leagues between them. We can’t really say that these two shone brightly.
Ronaldo, a double and a ranking for prestige
Without forcing, the 39-year-old Portuguese nevertheless consolidated his place as top scorer. Well helped by his former colleague KB9, at fault in the area (high foot), he started by scoring his 52nd goal of the season from a penalty. Enough to allow him to join Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane at the top of the scorers’ rankings in 2023… before leaving, again on a penalty at the hour mark. This time, the culprit was called Fabinho, author of ‘a slap in the box.
But be careful, Ronaldo, positioned at the forefront, did not necessarily have a great match. He did not appear much more active and creative than KB9, also wearing the captain’s armband. Generally speaking, the match took place at a false pace and with real technical waste. Only, next to CR7, there were certain players to survive. Notably Sadio Mané on the left wing, author of a relaxed double, or even former Lensois Seko Fofana in the midfield.
Benzema, two chances for 3-2
Opposite, the two goals were scored by the Moroccan Abderrazak Hamdallah. Benzema, heckled by the Saudi press and public, for his part missed the point. With zero shots on the clock at the break, the native of Bron (Rhône) missed the 3-2 with a header in the 53rd minute. Then in the 59th minute on an interesting chest-volley control sequence. Two opportunities that he may regret.
In a bad situation, like his team, recently taken over by Marcelo Gallardo, the French striker (9 goals and 4 assists in 15 games) is preparing to suffer new criticism. Even if he doesn’t really get any help from his teammates, like N’Golo Kanté, the other French international in the group. Al-Ittihad, reigning champion, suffered its third defeat in a row this Tuesday evening, which leaves it 22 lengths behind leader Al Hilal. Bad times for the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
