Sturm Graz II vs Al-Hilal Saudi FC

Al Hilal could not have asked for a sharper start. Inside the opening three minutes, Karim Benzema collected possession and finished calmly to give the Saudi side a 1-0 lead — the kind of early statement that suggested a mismatch was on the cards.

Sturm Graz II, the reserve side of Austrian Bundesliga club SK Sturm Graz, refused to fold. They grew into the contest and found a deserved equaliser five minutes before half-time. Forward Wisler Lazarre fired home on 40 minutes to make it 1-1, a goal that stood as the Austrian side's first and only shot on target in the first half.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Al Hilal dominated territory and possession, creating a series of chances before the breakthrough arrived. Brazilian winger Malcom, a mainstay of Al Hilal's attack since his move from Zenit, scored the decisive goal on 67 minutes, slotting home after a flowing move to make it 2-1.

No cards were shown during the match, and both sides made liberal use of their substitute benches as befits a pre-season friendly focused on building fitness and sharpness.

Sturm Graz II held firm for the first 22 minutes of the second half, but Al Hilal's sustained pressure finally told when Malcom converted on 67 minutes. The goal came from a sequence started by Sergej Milinković-Savić in midfield, with the ball worked to the Brazilian on the right flank. His finish was precise and decisive, and Sturm Graz II had no response — they did not register a shot on target after the equaliser.

Karim Benzema (Al Hilal) — Opened the scoring inside three minutes and led the line with the intelligence and movement that has defined his career. A sharp early-season showing from the 38-year-old, who looks to have carried his form from the end of last season into the new campaign.

Malcom (Al Hilal) — Scored the winner and was Al Hilal's most dangerous attacking outlet in the second half. His direct running from the right flank caused consistent problems for the Sturm Graz II defence.

Wisler Lazarre (Sturm Graz II) — The Sturm Graz II forward took his goal well and was a handful on the counter-attack. His equaliser rewarded the home side's resilience in the first half and gave the Austrian side a platform they held until Malcom's intervention.

Sergej Milinković-Savić (Al Hilal) — The Serbian midfielder dictated the tempo from the centre of the park in Al Hilal's 4-3-3 shape, and was involved in the build-up to the winning goal.

Player of the Match: Malcom — the Brazilian's goal decided the contest and his overall contribution across the 67 minutes he played was the difference between the two sides.

The provider data shows a clean match with three goals and zero cards — a reflection of the friendly, non-competitive nature of the fixture. Al Hilal's early goal followed by a second-half winner suggests a team that controlled proceedings but lacked the match sharpness to put the game to bed earlier, which is typical of a first pre-season outing. Sturm Graz II's goal came from one of their few genuine attacking moments, and they were unable to replicate that threat after the interval.

For Al Hilal, this was the first of four pre-season friendlies scheduled during their Austrian training camp, as confirmed by the club's official website on 5 July 2026. The Italian Simone Inzaghi took charge of his first match since leaving Inter Milan, and the early signs are positive — Benzema and Malcom scoring, Milinković-Savić influential, and a clean defensive performance marred only by one first-half lapse.

Sturm Graz II used the fixture as a valuable test against elite opposition. The Austrian second-tier side, who finished 5th in the 2025-26 2. Liga, will return to competitive action when the new season begins.

Al Hilal's next friendly is against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns on 24 July 2026, followed by MC Alger (29 July) and Qatari side Al-Ahli (3 August) to conclude their Austrian camp.

A controlled, professional start to pre-season for Al Hilal under Inzaghi. The result was never seriously in doubt after the early goal, and the second-half winner confirmed the gulf in class. Sturm Graz II can take heart from their equaliser and the resilience they showed against a side packed with global talent. For a first friendly, this was a useful 90 minutes for both camps.