Despite the Jeddah drizzle, Saudi Arabian spirits soared high on Tuesday night. The Swedish House Mafia and veteran Busta Rhymes electrified the sell-out crowd at King Abdullah Sports City with their performances, setting the stage for a spectacular night.
Al Ittihad took over from there, with Romarinho, N’Golo Kante, and Karim Benzema scoring three goals in a blistering 12-minute first-half display. Auckland City from New Zealand found themselves rendered redundant before the interval, and Al Ittihad’s passionate fans joyously celebrated in the rain.
The Saudi Pro League champions were determined to make an impact on the opening night of Saudi Arabia’s inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, and they delivered in style. From the start, they dominated their opponents, and although Romarinho, Igor Coronado, and Benzema had early misses, the gap between the two teams was evident.
The team sheets emphasized the difference, with Al Ittihad boasting four tournament winners in their starting lineup. Benzema, with five titles from his illustrious tenure at Real Madrid, captained the side and proved to be the perfect figurehead for their second Club World Cup appearance in almost two decades.
Romarinho, a Club World Cup winner with Corinthians in 2012, set the tone by scoring just before the half-hour mark. Kante added a second with a powerful half-volley, and Benzema, with his extensive Club World Cup experience, secured the third goal before halftime.
While there were opportunities for more goals in the second half, Al Ittihad had already secured victory. With the crowd of over 50,000 cheering them on, they completed Mission 1 on a damp but dreamy night in Jeddah. They now eagerly anticipate Friday’s second-round clash against Egypt’s Al Ahly, dreaming of further success in the tournament.
