Karim Benzema was impressive on his debut for Al-Ittihad at the King Fahd Stadium on Thursday.
The Frenchman scored a stunning goal to help his side secure a narrow 2-1 win against ES Tunis in the Arab Club Champions Cup.
Ousemma Bouguerra put the Tunisian side ahead in the 26th minute with a thumping volley but Abderrazak Hamdallah nodded home an equaliser six minutes later.
Benzema made the difference for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side as he cut in from the left and curled a stunning shot home to grab the winner in the 55th minute.
N’Golo Kante, who joined the Saudi club after the expiration of his contract at Chelsea, also made his debut for the Tigers by coming off the bench in the second half.
The victory lifted Al-Ittihad to the top of Group A in the Arab Club Champions Cup.
Benzema joined the Saudi Pro League club last month on a free transfer after his contract expired at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old became the second big-name player, after Cristiano Ronaldo, to move to Saudi Arabia.
Kante, Jota, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are among the players who have followed them to the Middle East.
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho looks close to joining Al-Ittihad, who have made a £40 million bid to secure his signature.
Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic is also keen to join Al-Hilal, who are ready to splash out a huge sum to sign him this summer.
