Karim Benzema scored a hat trick, leading Al-Hilal to a resounding 6-0 victory over Al-Kholoud in a rescheduled match from the 29th round of the 2026 Saudi Professional League.
The match was originally scheduled for two weeks later, but Al-Hilal’s participation in the AFC Champions League necessitated bringing it forward, a decision that seems to have worked in Simone Inzaghi’s favor.
Benzema’s performance was the highlight of the match. After Mutaib Al-Harbi opened the scoring in the 7th minute, Benzema netted three consecutive goals in the first half, completing his historic hat trick for Al-Hilal.
This is Benzema’s second hat trick for Al-Hilal in seven appearances so far, bringing his tally to eight goals and two assists – an impressive scoring rate.
أهداف مواجهة #الهلال_الخلود ⚽️🎥
الهلال @Alhilal_FC 6️⃣
الخلود @AlKholoodClub 0️⃣#دوري_روشن_السعودي pic.twitter.com/Y1NB5HJh18
— رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) April 8, 2026
Benzema also increased his career hat-trick tally to 20, with 7 in Saudi Arabia (2 with Al-Hilal and 5 with Al-Ittihad), 11 with Real Madrid, and 2 with Olympique Lyonnais.
Al-Kholoud became the second Saudi club to concede the most goals to Benzema since his arrival in the summer of 2023, with 6 goals conceded – 3 with Al-Ittihad and 3 with Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, Al-Ahli drew 1-1 with Al-Fayha in a match marred by controversial refereeing decisions.
Thus, Al-Hilal secured second place in the Roshan League standings with 68 points, two points ahead of Al-Nassr, while Al-Ahli reached 66 points, diminishing their chances of reclaiming the title they last won 10 years ago.
