Karim Benzema became the first player to score in four Fifa Club World Cups as Al-Ittihad opened the 2023 edition with a 3-0 win over Auckland City.
Benzema completed the scoring following goals by Romarinho and former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.
Saudi Pro League holders Al-Ittihad are representing the host nation and face African representatives Al Ahly in the second round.
European champions Manchester City enter the cup at the semi-final stage.
Al-Ittihad defeated New Zealand side Auckland City, who were representing Oceania at the tournament, with three goals in 11 first-half minutes.
Brazilian forward Romarinho opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a deflected effort before Kante doubled the lead five minutes later with a superb strike from a loose ball in the box.
Benzema then completed the scoring frenzy in the 40th minute to set up Friday’s tie with Al Ahly of Egypt.
The winners will face Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense in the semi-finals. Premier League champions Manchester City are in the other half of the draw, and face Mexico’s Leon or Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds on 19 December.
Benzema, 35, is appearing in his sixth Club World Cup having played in five with Real Madrid.
He has won every Club World Cup in which he has previously played, in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022.
Line-ups
Al-Ittihad
Formation 4-3-3
- 34Grohe
- 13Al Shanqiti
- 26Hegazy
- 15Mahboob
- 12HawsawiSubstituted forBamasudat 85′minutes
- 8Fabinho
- 7KantéSubstituted forAl Jaman Al Amriat 78′minutes
- 16Al GhamdiSubstituted forAl Sahafiat 85′minutes
- 90da SilvaSubstituted forNeves Filipeat 59′minutes
- 9Benzema
- 10CoronadoSubstituted forJamalat 78′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Al Muaiouf
- 4Om Hawsawi
- 6Jamal
- 11Neves Filipe
- 17Al Sahafi
- 25Salmeen Al Menhali
- 28Bamasud
- 33Al Olayan
- 77Al Jaman Al Amri
- 88Al Mermesh
- 99Hamed Allah
Auckland City
Formation 5-4-1
- 1Tracey
- 12MuratiSubstituted forKilkollyat 83′minutes
- 14Vale
- 25den Heijer
- 4GraySubstituted forMitchellat 84′minutes
- 13Lobo
- 8GarrigaSubstituted forLeeat 57′minutes
- 2IlichSubstituted forZhouat 68′minutes
- 7Howieson
- 10ManickumSubstituted forTadeat 68′minutes
- 19Gillion
Substitutes
- 3Mitchell
- 5Boulet
- 6Bell
- 9Kilkolly
- 11De Vries
- 15Carey
- 16Lee
- 18Ciganda
- 20Tade
- 22Zhou
- 23Rogers
- 24Wallis
- Referee:
- Tori Penso
- Attendance:
- 50,248
Live Text
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Match ends, Al-Ittihad 3, Auckland City 0.
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Second Half ends, Al-Ittihad 3, Auckland City 0.
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Foul by Sultan Farhan (Al-Ittihad).
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Joseph Lee (Auckland City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Jota (Al-Ittihad) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Saleh Al Amri.
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Attempt saved. Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Jota.
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Corner, Auckland City. Conceded by Ahmed Hegazy.
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Attempt blocked. Emiliano Tade (Auckland City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joseph Lee.
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Attempt saved. Saleh Al Amri (Al-Ittihad) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jota.
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Attempt blocked. Emiliano Tade (Auckland City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Substitution, Al-Ittihad. Ahmed Bamasud replaces Zakaria Al Hawsawi because of an injury.
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Substitution, Al-Ittihad. Marwan Al Sahafi replaces Faisal Al Ghamdi.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Zakaria Al Hawsawi (Al-Ittihad).
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Substitution, Auckland City. Adam Mitchell replaces Christian Gray.
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Substitution, Auckland City. Angus Kilkolly replaces Regont Murati.
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Attempt missed. Sultan Farhan (Al-Ittihad) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.
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Substitution, Al-Ittihad. Sultan Farhan replaces Igor Coronado.
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Substitution, Al-Ittihad. Saleh Al Amri replaces N’Golo Kanté.
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Corner, Al-Ittihad. Conceded by Christian Gray.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.