Club World Cup 2023: Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante on target as Al-Ittihad thump Auckland City
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Updated 12/12/2023 at 20:36 GMT
Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante scored for Al-Ittihad in a 3-0 win over Auckland City in the Club World Cup. Romarinho put the Saudi Pro League side ahead just before the half-hour mark before Kante unleashed a stunning volley to double the hosts' advantage. Benzema rounded out the scoring just before the break to become the first player to score in four FIFA Club World Cups.
Karim Benzema of Al Ittihad celebrates scoring their team's third goal during the FIFA Club World Cup match between Al Ittihad FC and Auckland City FC at King Abdullah Sports City on December 12, 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images
N'Golo Kante and Karim Benzema were on target for Al-Ittihad as the Saudi Pro League side comfortably beat Auckland City in the first round of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.
It was a dominant performance by the hosts at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah and they got their just rewards.
It is the 20th edition of the competition and first to be staged in Saudi Arabia, which has made a big investment in football, enticing the likes of Benzema, Kante and Cristiano Ronaldo to the league.
Romarinho opened the scoring for Al-Ittihad in the 29th minute before Kante, who joined from Chelsea in the summer for free, made it 2-0 with a stunning strike.
The French defensive midfielder delighted home fans with a thumping volley from just inside the Auckland box into the roof of the net.
Benzema, who ended his 14-year stay at Real Madrid to move to Al-Ittihad, then became the first player to score in four FIFA Club World Cups with his 40th-minute goal.
It was a trademark forward’s finish, with the 35-year-old on hand to covert after Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti’s first-time delivery.
The home side had 28 shots to Auckland’s three but couldn’t extend their advantage and eventually completed a comfortable victory.
It set up a second-round encounter with Al Ahly SC on Friday with a place in the semi-finals on the line.
Manchester City begin their quest for the title in the semi-finals against either Club Leon or Urawa Reds on December 19.
The final will be held on December 22.
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