The miraculous goal from Benzema’s teammate, the spectacle of Mané and Ronaldo. What is remembered from the tour in the Saudi League
Kirill Zakatchenko Aug 27, 2023 08:00 UTC Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Malcolm provided an assist and Mitrovic scored on his debut.
We continue to follow the Saudi Arabian championship. Local clubs continue to strengthen their squads with players from Europe, there are more and more. We tell you the interesting thing about the 3rd round.
How was the second round?
The failure of Ronaldo and the success of the former CSKA player in Gerrard’s team. How was the Saudi League Tour?
Former Manchester United striker scores on his debut for the new club
The tour opened with a match involving not the highest promoted teams in the league. Al-Wahda got the second victory of the season and the final score was scored by Odion Ighalo. This forward has experience playing in Europe: Udinese, Granada, Watford and even Manchester United. Since 2021 he has been performing in Saudi Arabia; he previously represented Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal. On August 15, he transferred to Al-Wahda as a free agent and had a very brilliant debut in the new team. The Nigerian was free for four minutes, took advantage of it and scored. But it was not he who became the main character, but Faisal Fakhr. The 35-year-old Moroccan scored the 1+1 in the “goal + pass” system. There was a time when he played in Spain and France.
Odion Ighalo
Photo by: Al Wehda FC
Rookies drag Al-Hilal, Malcolm gave an assist
In this game there was everything: goals, penalties, eliminations, defeat. Goalkeeper Bono and striker Aleksandar Mitrovic made their Al-Hilal debuts. The first played “to zero”, the second scored before the break. And the former Zenit player Malcom scored an assist, now he has gone 3+1 in three league games. Another Al-Hilal legionnaire, Sergei Milinkovich-Savic, did not finish the match until the final whistle, for which he received a red card. The Serb fell into someone else’s area, but the referee did not signal the “point”. After that, Sergei got into a fight with Omar González and headbutted his opponent. The referee removed Milinkovic-Savic, but González also received a yellow card, which was his second. Neymar did not play again, the Brazilian is cured of the injury.
Video rights belong to Saudi Pro League. You can watch the video on Al-Hilal’s YouTube channel.
Gerrard’s team lost their first championship points
Steven Gerrard’s team dropped points for the first time this season. Former CSKA striker Vitinho saved her from defeat. In the last matchday, the Brazilian scored 1+1 in the “goal + pass” system, and this time he scored a goal. Al-Ittifaq had another 40 minutes to clinch a decided victory, but failed. By the way, Al-Khalij scored the first point of the season, which doubly offended Gerrard and co.
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Al-Ahly’s tough victory in added time
Al-Ahli almost followed the path of Al-Ittifaq. Matthias Jaisle’s team came very close to losing the first points, but Frank Kessier came to the rescue. The former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder was in the right place at the right time and headed the ball into the corner. The African’s first goal at the new club was good for him, because it was already the sixth minute of injury time. Roberto Firmino did not score this time, but it was the Brazilian who provided the assist. Al Ahly are one of two teams in the championship that have yet to drop points.
Video rights belong to Saudi Pro League. You can watch the video on Al-Ahly’s YouTube channel.
Benzema has a goal + pass, but the best moment of the tour was created by his teammate
Before the game, information appeared that Karim Benzema had a conflict with the coach. Nuno Espirito Santo was initially opposed to this transfer and the Frenchman does not fit his tactical style. Funny sounds. One way or another, Benzema started again and this time he played much more productively. In the first half, Karim completed the counter-attack with a magnificent shot under the crossbar and eventually provided the assist.
This is the first goal of the Ballon d’Or owner in the Saudi Arabian championship. And you also have to pay attention to Abderrazak Hamdallah. The Moroccan scored a double and his second goal became a true decoration of the tour. Hamdalla brought the ball down with elegant “scissors” – he was great!
Video rights belong to Saudi Pro League. You can watch the video on Al-Ittihad’s YouTube channel.
The team of the former footballer “Spartak” did not lose again
The only game of the tour that did not please with goals. Al-Hazm scored the first point of the season, although they could have counted on more. At the end of the first part, the visitors got a penalty, but did not make the attempt. Al Feiha extended their unbeaten streak to three games. Former Spartak Fashion striker Sakala left the field this time without scoring.
Former RPL legionnaires did not save Abha from defeat
As part of Abha, two former RPL legionnaires entered the field at once. The midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak was there for the whole game and in the 82nd minute the attacking footballer François Camano appeared. However, this did not help the team of Polish coach Cheslav Mikhnevich. In the end he failed and suffered the second loss of the season. Al-Taawun, meanwhile, have already collected seven points and moved to the top of the table.
Grzegorz Krychowiak (left)
Photo by: Abha FC
Al-Nasr got the first victory, Mane and Ronaldo put on a show
“Al-Nasr” destroyed the rival and interrupted a series of two defeats. They killed those who were supposed to for status. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a three, Sadio Mané scored a brace. The Portuguese scored two goals from empty nets and scored the first with his head. But what I remember the most is the beautiful backheel pass that Ronaldo gave to Mané in the one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The Senegalese coldly realized the opportunity: it was from this ball that the humiliation of the rival began.
Video rights belong to Saudi Pro League. You can watch the video on Al-Nasr’s YouTube channel.
Defender Aymeric Laporte and midfielder Otávio made their Al-Nasr debuts. The first played the entire match, the second appeared in the 90th minute.
As part of the hosts, the entire match was played by the 35-year-old Argentine midfielder Éver Banega. The same one who once played in Valencia, Atlético, Inter and Sevilla. His current team was saved from defeat thanks to a goal at the end of the match. And Damak is now coached by former Milan, Atlético and Romania defender Cosmin Contra.
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