Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo scored within two minutes of each other as Real Madrid’s all-time top marksmen starred in an eventful showdown between leaders Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
After a relatively quiet first half, 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema slotted in at the far post from Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti’s low cross to give the leaders a 55th-minute advantage.
Just when Al-Nassr seemed fragile, winger Angelo burst down the right, had a shot cleared off the line and found Ronaldo in front of goal from the rebound to level.
Steven Bergwijn struck an inspired 91st-minute winner to settle the contest and deal a potential hammer blow to Al-Nassr’s title hopes, leaving them 11 points behind Al-Ittihad after 13 games for each team.
BENZEGOAL 🇫🇷#RoshnSaudiLeague #ITTNAS pic.twitter.com/uCJApaPIIl
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) December 6, 2024
Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad
Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo hugged Benzema in the tunnel before kick-off and the pair were at close quarters again as the former France striker protested to the referee during an increasingly fractious game after the goals.
Benzema later went head-to-head with one of Ronaldo’s Portugal teammates, Otavio, appearing to feel that the midfielder had disrespected him.
#CR7 pegs Al Ittihad back immediately 🔥#RoshnSaudiLeague #ITTNAS pic.twitter.com/1WFhfnkY8I
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) December 6, 2024
Ronaldo is Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer with 450 goals, while Benzema’s tally of 354 puts him second on the list to the man he counted as a teammate at the Santiago Bernabeu between 2009 and 2018.
The superstar strikers won the Champions League with Madrid four times, while Ronaldo had previously lifted the trophy with Manchester United in 2007/08 and Benzema went on to repeat the trick with the Spanish club in 2021/22.
It’s #CR7‘s world and we’re just living in it 💥#RoshnSaudiLeague #ITTNAS pic.twitter.com/yyCDBWIM00
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) December 6, 2024
Benzema, Ronaldo goals
The opening goal was Benzema’s 11th in 10 games for his club this season on his return after missing four of their previous five league matches through injury.
Selecao captain Ronaldo netted his 16th club goal of the campaign, having being rested for Al-Nassr’s last-gasp 2-1 home defeat to Qatari team Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League on Monday because they had already progressed in the competition.
KB9 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/B74lXvtTlT
— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) December 6, 2024
Saudi Pro League table
Al-Nassr suffered their first away league defeat since losing against reigning champions Al-Hilal on December 1 2023 and their second loss of this season, having been beaten at home by third-placed Al-Qadsiah on November 22.
Al-Hilal, who who are five points behind Al-Ittihad in second place, play their game in hand at home to 11th-placed Al-Raed on Saturday (5pm GMT).
