Benzema's Quiet Saudi Derby Debut: A Start Still Looking for Sparks
21 February 2026
Match snapshot
The French forward Karim Benzema, now with Al Hilal, produced a notably subdued display in his first appearance in the Saudi derby against his former side Al Ittihad.
He started the match and helped produce a 1-1 draw at Kingdom Arena in round 23 of the Roshn Saudi Pro League.
SofaScore rated Benzema 6.9 out of 10, making him the third-worst starter in Al Hilal's lineup.
He attempted three shots, with only one on target; two efforts were blocked, and he also missed a clear first-half chance and was offside once.
Benzema registered a single key pass, completed 17 of 21 passes (81% accuracy), and lost possession eight times.
The striker tried one dribble and succeeded; he also contested three aerial duels (two won) and three ground duels (two won).
Ultimately, his quiet return will likely fuel expectations for more impactful performances in upcoming fixtures.
Punchline 1: That debut was so quiet, you could hear the crossbar sigh.
Punchline 2: Don't worry, Al Hilal fans—great players take time to warm up; the trophy cabinet hasn't filed a complaint yet.
