The Saudi Pro League delivered another dramatic night of football as Al Ittihad stormed to a 4-0 victory over Al Kholood at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on January 9, 2026. In a contest that quickly spiraled out of control for the hosts, Karim Benzema’s first-half hat-trick and a late strike from Saleh Alshehri sealed a comprehensive win for the reigning champions, further cementing their dominance over the Pride of Ar Rass.
Coming into this matchweek 13 clash, the narrative was clear: Al Kholood, languishing in 12th place with just 12 points, had never beaten Al Ittihad in their brief head-to-head history. The Tigers, meanwhile, were riding a wave of momentum, sitting sixth in the table with 23 points and chasing their fifth consecutive league win under new coach Sergio Conceicao. The pressure was on the hosts, who had only recently snapped a seven-game losing streak with a resounding 5-0 win over Al-Fayha, but their defensive vulnerabilities—22 goals conceded before kickoff—remained a glaring concern.
The match began with an early warning for Al Kholood. William Troost-Ekong, their experienced defender, picked up a yellow card just six minutes in after a late challenge. The situation quickly went from bad to worse. Only two minutes later, Troost-Ekong mistimed another tackle, earning a second yellow and an early bath. Reduced to ten men inside the opening eight minutes, Al Kholood faced a monumental task against a side that had already beaten them three times in as many meetings.
Al Ittihad wasted no time capitalizing on their numerical advantage. In the 13th minute, Karim Benzema confidently dispatched a penalty, putting the visitors ahead 1-0 and setting the tone for the rest of the evening. The hosts, reeling from the red card and early deficit, struggled to contain the relentless pressure.
The Tigers continued to press, and their efforts paid off again in the 28th minute. Benzema, showing his world-class pedigree, found the net for his second of the night, this time assisted by R. Fernandes. Al Kholood’s defense was stretched to its limits, and the visitors looked unstoppable as they surged forward at every opportunity.
Just seven minutes later, Benzema completed his hat-trick. A slick move involving M. Diaby set up the French striker for his third goal, putting Al Ittihad firmly in control with a 3-0 lead before the halftime whistle. The visiting fans erupted in celebration as their team cruised into the break with a commanding advantage.
At halftime, the statistics painted a bleak picture for Al Kholood. Down a man and three goals, the hosts had managed few meaningful attacks and were left searching for answers. Their struggles this season—marked by inconsistency and a porous defense—were on full display against a clinical Al Ittihad side.
Al Kholood’s coach attempted to shake things up in the second half. In the 60th minute, Guga Guga was brought on in midfield, replacing striker Hattan Bahebri in an effort to inject creativity and stability. But with the numerical disadvantage and a three-goal deficit, hope was fading fast for the home crowd.
Further changes came in the 72nd minute as Odai Hussein replaced Ramzi Solan, another move designed to spark a comeback that, by then, seemed increasingly unlikely. Al Ittihad, meanwhile, managed the game expertly, controlling possession and denying their opponents any clear path back into the contest.
Despite missing key players—Houssem Aouar sidelined with a muscle injury, Saad Al-Mousa recovering from a broken ankle, and Muhannad Shanqeeti’s status uncertain—the Tigers’ depth and organization shone through. Their defensive solidity, highlighted by four clean sheets in their last six matches, was never seriously threatened by a depleted Al Kholood attack.
The final blow came in the 84th minute. Saleh Alshehri, assisted by A. Al-Ghamdi, added a fourth goal, hammering home Al Ittihad’s superiority on the night. The visitors’ bench erupted in celebration, while the home supporters could only watch as their team’s woes deepened.
After the final whistle, the scoreboard read Al Kholood 0-4 Al Ittihad—a result that not only extended Al Ittihad’s winning streak to five matches but also preserved their perfect record against the Pride of Ar Rass. The Tigers have now outscored Al Kholood by a significant margin in their four meetings, with the hosts still searching for their first goal in the fixture.
For Al Kholood, the defeat underscored the challenges they face as they hover just four points above the relegation zone. Despite the recent high of their 5-0 win over Al-Fayha, the defensive frailties that have plagued their season were ruthlessly exposed by the champions. Ramiro Enrique, the team’s top scorer with seven league goals, was kept quiet by Al Ittihad’s disciplined back line. The absence of Abdulmalik Al-Harbi due to long-term injury further limited their options, and the early red card left them with little hope of mounting a comeback.
Al Ittihad’s resurgence under Sergio Conceicao continues to gather pace. After a rocky start to the season and the departure of previous coach Laurent Blanc, the Tigers have rediscovered their form, combining attacking flair with defensive resilience. With seven wins, two draws, and three losses from their 12 league matches, they remain within striking distance of the league leaders Al-Hilal, trailing by nine points but with momentum firmly on their side.
Karim Benzema’s hat-trick will dominate the headlines, and rightly so. The French striker’s clinical finishing and leadership have been pivotal in Al Ittihad’s recent run, and his performance against Al Kholood served as a reminder of his enduring quality on the big stage. Saleh Alshehri’s late goal was the icing on the cake for the visitors, who look increasingly like a side capable of defending their title.
As the Saudi Pro League season approaches its midway point, Al Ittihad’s statement win sends a clear message to their rivals. For Al Kholood, the focus must now shift to regrouping and shoring up their defense if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap. The Tigers, meanwhile, march on—hungry for more success and eager to close the gap at the top of the table.
The drama of Saudi football continues, and if tonight’s match was any indication, fans can expect plenty more twists and turns before the season’s end.
