Benzema Sparks a Skirmish: The Fastest Red Card of the Saudi Pro League Shakes Al Khlood
9 January 2026
Match Context
The French star Benzema, Al Ittihad's forward, put Al Khlood in a tough spot this season in the Saudi Pro League.
Key Moments
Al Khlood hosted the match at King Abdullah Sports City in Buraydah, as round 14 of the competition unfolded.
Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong was sent off in the eighth minute for a foul on Benzema, who was clean through on goal.
According to Opta, the red card was the fastest recorded this Saudi Pro League season.
It was Ekong's first red card in the league, in his 45th appearance for Al Khlood since arriving from PAOK in summer 2024.
Overall, the sending-off marked the second red this season for Al Khlood, after Abdulrahman Al-Dosri's red in the 1-3 loss to Al Hilal on December 31.
These events add to a season of high drama for the league, where big names meet sharp elbows and even bigger headlines; fans will be talking long after the final whistle.
Punchline 1: The only thing faster than Benzema's run was the red card—talk about a career turnover!
Punchline 2: In the Saudi Pro League, even the replays want a red card for stealing the spotlight.
