Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo scored within two minutes of each other as Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorers starred in a thrilling clash 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 headed in at the far post from Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti’s low cross to give the leaders a 55th-minute advantage.
Just when Al-Nassr looked fragile, winger Angelo burst down the right, curled a shot off the line and found Ronaldo in front of goal from the rebound to equalise.
Steven Bergwijn hit an inspired 91st-minute winner to settle the match and deal a potential blow to Al-Nassr’s title hopes, leaving them 11 points behind Al-Ittihad after 13 games for each team.
BENZEGOL 🇫🇷#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 the cross and the pair were close again as the former France striker complained to the referee during an increasingly aggressive game after the goals.
Benzema later confronted one of Ronaldo’s Portugal teammates, Ottavio, who appeared to feel the midfielder had disrespected him.
#CR7 Al Ittihad pegs 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 354 goals puts him second on the list behind the man he counted as his Santiago Bernabeu team-mate between 2009 and 2018.
The superstar forwards have won the Champions League with Madrid four times, while Ronaldo 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.
Of #CR7of the world and we just live in it 💥#RoshnSaudiLeague #ITTNAS pic.twitter.com/yyCDBWIM00
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) December 6, 2024
Goals Benzema, Ronaldo
The opener was Benzema’s 11th in 10 games for his club this season on his return after missing four of his previous five league matches through injury.
Selecao captain Ronaldo scored the club’s 16th goal of the season after being rested for Al-Nasr’s last-gasp 2-1 home defeat by Qatari side Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League on Monday, as had already proceeded with the organization.
KB9 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/B74lXvtTlT
— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) December 6, 2024
Saudi Pro League Table
Al-Nassr suffered their first away defeat in the league since losing to champions Al-Hilal on 1 December 2023 and their second defeat this season, having been beaten at home by third-placed Al-Qadsiah on 22 November.
Al-Hilal, who are five points behind second-placed Al-Ittihad, play their home game against 11th-placed Al-Raed on Saturday (5pm GMT).
