Benzema leads Al-Ittihad to a historic King's Cup achievement

Al-Ittihad secured their place in the King's Cup semi-finals with a resounding 4-1 victory over Al-Shabab on Saturday evening in the quarter-finals. Karim Benzema was the star of the show, netting a hat-trick to score the second, third, and fourth goals in the 29th, 84th, and 86th minutes, effectively sealing the win in a matter of minutes. The hat-trick's impact wasn't limited to the match result alone; it extended to writing a new chapter in the club's history in the tournament. This is where the true significance of that night becomes clear. Benzema's hat-trick marked Al-Ittihad's first official hat-trick in the history of their participation in the King's Cup, making it an exceptional moment in the team's record.  Its significance extends beyond the victory itself; it reflects the federation's transformation into a more effective and decisive force in the knockout stages. It was also the first hat-trick scored in the tournament by any team since May 2021, ending a long absence of hat-tricks in the competition.