<a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/karim-benzema/" target="_blank">Karim Benzema</a> marked his Al Ittihad debut with a stunning goal as the Saudi Pro League side opened their Group A account in the 2023 King Salman Cup with a victory over Espernance de Tunis. The French striker's effort from the edge of the area on 56 minutes nestled into the top corner to give the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/saudi-pro-league/" target="_blank">Saudi Pro League</a> champions a 2-1 win after Abderrazak Hamdallah had cancelled out Oussema Bouguerra's opener. Reigning Ballon d'Or holder Benzema, 35, is arguably the most high-profile recruit to the Pro League this summer having <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/06/09/karim-benzema-welcomed-to-al-ittihad-by-thousands-of-fans-and-fireworks-in-pictures/" target="_blank">joined Ittihad from Real Madrid in June</a> on a three-year contract. Portuguese winger Jota, who joined the Jeddah outfit from Celtic, also made his first start. Qatar's Al Sadd played out a 0-0 draw against Wydad Cascablanca in Thursday's other Group A match. New Al Hilal signings Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly were given their bows in a goalless draw against Al Ahli Tripoli in Group b. <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/06/24/ruben-neves-completes-record-move-to-saudi-giants-al-hilal-from-wolves/" target="_blank">Portugal midfielder Neves</a>, who joined from Wolves for a Saudi Pro League transfer record of £47 million, played the full 90 minutes as did and <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/06/26/kalidou-koulibaly-joins-ruben-neves-at-saudi-pro-league-side-al-hilal/" target="_blank">Senegal defender Koulibaly</a>, who switched London for Riyadh after a disappointing season at Chelsea. Iraq's Al Shutra beat CB Sfaxien 1-0 in the other group match. Friday's games sees <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/cristiano-ronaldo/" target="_blank">Cristiano Ronaldo's</a> Al Nassr in action against fellow Saudi side Al Shabab in Group C. Nassr drew 1-1 against Uefa Champions League finalists Inter Milan in a pre-season friendly in Osaka on Wednesday. Egyptian powerhouse Zamalek take on Tunisia's US Monastir while Group D pits CR Belouizdad of Algeria against Morocco's Raja Casablanca and <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/07/27/sheikh-saeed-bin-zayed-a-football-man-whose-vision-transformed-al-wahda/" target="_blank">UAE club Al Wahda</a> against Kuwait SC. It will be Wahda's first match since the death of former club president Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed on Thursday. President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has declared <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2023/07/26/president-sheikh-mohamed-declares-mourning-period-for-sheikh-saeed-bin-zayed/" target="_blank">three days of mourning in the Emirates</a>. Known more widely as the Arab Club Champions Cup, the tournament, in its 30th edition and named this year the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/07/26/when-is-king-salman-cup-in-saudi-arabia-being-contested-and-who-will-play-in-it/" target="_blank">King Salman Club Cup</a> as it is hosted in Saudi Arabia. The top two teams advance to the knockout rounds with the final to by played on August 12.
