'Kante, Benzema back-to-back' as Al Ittihad defeat Auckland in FIFA Club World Cup opener

Saudi professional soccer champions Al Ahly, led by Karim Benzema, have defeated Oceania champions Auckland City (New Zealand) in the first match of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

Al Ittihad defeated Auckland 3-0 in the first leg of the Club World Cup at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday (July 13).

The FIFA Club World Cup brings together the champions of the six continental club competitions and the host nation's league champions each year to determine the world's strongest professional teams. This is the last edition of the seven-team competition, with the next edition in June 2025, which will be played on a four-year cycle with 32 teams.

Al Etihad, who entered the tournament as champions of host Saudi Arabia, defeated 2023 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League champions Auckland to advance to the next round.

Al Ahly will face Al Ahly (Egypt), the 2022-23 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League champions, on Nov. 19 for a spot in the last four.

The European champions are Manchester City (England), who won the UEFA Champions League in 2022-23, and the South American champions are Fluminense (Brazil). Asia is represented by Urawa Red (Japan) and North and Central America is represented by Leon of Mexico.

Boasting a stellar lineup that included N'Golo Kante, Benzema, and Fabinho, Alitihad came out firing from the start.

Before they could continue their assault, they were rewarded in the 29th minute. A cross from the left flank was met by Da Silva with a right-footed shot that deflected off the defense and into the net.

With the momentum in their favor, Alitihad added another goal five minutes later when Kante rattled the net with a picturesque right-footed shot. 헤라카지노

Benzema sealed the deal in the 40th minute with his third goal of the game, finishing from a cutback to make it 2-0.

Benzema, who played in five Club World Cups (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022) with Real Madrid (Spain), winning all of them, was tasting goal in his sixth Club World Cup since switching to ALITIHAD.

In the end, it was an emphatic victory for ALIHAD. Al Ahli will face off against Al Ahli on June 16 for a spot in the quarterfinals. The winner of the match will face South American champions Fluminense in the semifinals.