What a way to introduce yourself! On Thursday, February 5, 2026, Karim Benzema silenced any doubters by marking his Al Hilal debut with a stunning hat-trick and two assists, leading the league leaders to a ruthless 6–0 demolition of Al Akhdoud.
Just days after his high-profile switch from Al Ittihad, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner looked completely at home in the blue and white, proving to be the missing piece in Simone Inzaghi's high-octane attack.
Match Highlights: The "Big Benz" Show
Playing at the Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Al Hilal needed just 30 minutes to find their rhythm before the floodgates opened.
31’ - The First Act: Benzema opened his account in style, flicking a low cross from Nasser Al Dawsari into the net with a clinical heel finish. 1–0.
60’ & 64’ - The Hat-Trick: After the break, the Frenchman went into overdrive. He slotted a composed right-footed finish from the center of the box for his second, before completing his hat-trick just four minutes later with a powerful strike into the roof of the net. 3–0.
70’ - The Provider: Benzema then turned creator, sliding a perfectly weighted pass to Malcom, who fired home Al Hilal’s fourth. 4–0.
The Final Flourish: With the game won, Salem Al Dawsari added gloss to the scoreline with two late goals (74’ and 93’), both involving involvement from the rampant Benzema. 6–0.
Simone Inzaghi: "Karim is a world-class professional. To arrive and perform like this after just 48 hours with the team is incredible. He gives us a different dimension in the final third. We are very happy with the result and the clean sheet."
The Verdict: Al Hilal's decision to bring in Benzema looks like a masterstroke. With Darwin Núñez currently sidelined due to transfer talks with Fenerbahçe, Benzema’s immediate impact ensures the title favorites haven't missed a beat.