Karim Benzema netted a hat-trick for Al-Ittihad just days after a supposed bust-up with Nuno Espirito Santo saw the former Spurs boss sacked as manager.<br /><br />The ex-Real Madrid striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot on Friday before adding two further goals in the second half to help his side to a 4-2 win against Abha. <br /><br />Al-Ittihad's victory ends a five-match winless streak in the league that contributed to the fallout between Benzema and Nuno.<br /><br />Following a midweek defeat to Iraqi side Al-Quwa Al-Juwiya in the AFC Asian Champions League, the pair reportedly had a heated exchange in the dressing room.<br /><br />Nuno, who won the Saudi Pro League title earlier this year, was dismissed just two days after the loss.<br /><br />He was only able to guide the team to two wins in nine games across all competitions in his final weeks in charge. <br /><br />Al-Ittihad signed N'Golo Kante and Fabinho alongside Benzema in the summer and they are currently well off the pace in the chase for the league title. <br /><br />Their poor recent form has seen them fall 11 points behind league leaders Al-Hilal.<br /><br />However, they did have something to smile about on Friday, as Benzema led them to victory against mid-table Abha. <br /><br />The 35-year-old gave his side the lead in the 38th minute as he confidently guided a penalty beyond former Fiorentina and AC Milan goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu in the Abha goal.<br /><br />One-time Lyon striker Karl Toko Ekambi drew Abha level five minutes into the second half but Al-Ittihad hit back quickly through Brazilian Igor Coronado. <br /><br />Benzema then put his side into an unassailable lead, cooly slotting home after being played in on goal before tapping in an unselfish pass from Coronado. <br /><br />The hat-trick moved the French striker up to joint third in the standings for top scorer, with only Cristiano Ronaldo and Aleksandr Mitrovic having found the net more than him.<br /><br />Fahad Bin Jumayah pulled one back late on for Abha but it was not enough to prevent Benzema from grabbing the headlines for the second time this week.
