Karim Benzema faced a tough night in the AFC Champions League on Monday. Despite scoring twice in the late stages (76th and 83rd minutes), the French striker could not prevent Al-Ittihad’s heavy defeat against Al-Duhail, losing 4-2 in Doha. The Saudis were down 4-0 with just under 15 minutes left, struggling against a standout performance from Adil Boulbina. The 22-year-old Algerian, playing on the right side, tormented the opposition defense, scoring a hat-trick with goals in the 5th, 55th, and 60th minutes, showcasing his talent with a brilliant assist from Marco Verratti.
In a mixed zone interview, an frustrated Benzema acknowledged Boulbina’s skill, saying, “He is strong!” Al-Duhail’s coach, Djamel Belmadi, also praised his player’s performance, highlighting the qualities that led to his signing: “He has a bright future ahead… He is a player with immense talent.” Despite this impressive display, Boulbina remains overlooked by Vladimir Petkovic for the national team.
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