Soccer-Al-Ittihad's Benzema helps defeat Al-Wehda in Saudi Super-Cup semis
(Corrects spelling of Fajr in third paragraph)

(Reuters) - Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema scored an early goal and Abderrazak Hamdallah struck before halftime to earn a 2-1 win over Al-Wehda in Abu Dhabi on Monday and a place in the Saudi Super Cup final.

Benzema scored his first goal of 2024 by pouncing on a poor clearance to fire home from close range in the first minute before Hamdallah doubled the lead with a tap-in after 42.

Hussain Ahmed Al Issa got a consolation goal for Al-Wehda in the dying seconds after Faycal Fajr's penalty miss in the 91st.

Al-Ittihad coach Marcelo Gallardo will be looking to lift his first title for the club in Thursday's final.

They will face the winners of the clash between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr in the second semi-final being played later on Monday at Al-Jazira's Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

(This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of 'Fajr' in paragraph 3)

(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris)
(Corrects spelling of Fajr in third paragraph)