French superstar Karim Benzema set a sensational new record at the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup on Tuesday night.
Al Ittihad opened their CWC campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over New Zealand outfit Auckland City, courtesy of goals by Romarinho, former Chelsea star N'Golo Kante, and Benzema.
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The Saudi Arabian giants have thus set up an all-important second-round clash against CAF Champions League holders Al Ahly on Friday.
Benzema's goal, however, set a huge competition milestone, with the former Real Madrid captain becoming the first player in history to score at four different Club World Cups.
?? 2014 | 2016 | 2022 | 2023 ??Karim Benzema makes history as the first player ever to score in four different FIFA Club World Cup tournaments ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/0rK1GPGyf3
— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) December 12, 2023
The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner has won every Club World Cup tournament he has previously played in – in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022 – with all those titles coming while he was a Los Blancos player.
The winners of the clash between Benzema and Percy Tau's Al Ahly on Friday will take on Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense in the semi-finals.
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Meanwhile, UEFA Champions League holders Manchester City, who are in the other half of the draw, will take on Mexican team Club Leon or Japanese giants Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday, 19 December.
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