Al-Hilal Saudi FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns

Malcom opened the scoring in the ninth minute, finishing from close range after Al-Hilal carved open the Sundowns defence with a swift move. The Brazilian doubled his tally just after the hour mark, latching onto a cross to side-foot home and seal the result at 2-0.

Al-Hilal, managed by Simone Inzaghi, fielded a strong XI that included Karim Benzema, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Malcom. Sundowns, under Miguel Cardoso, were missing several regulars but still caused problems after the break.

Sundowns goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie produced important saves to deny Tashreeq Matthews and Cassius Mailula in the first half, keeping the deficit at one at the interval. The South African side controlled large spells of the second half but could not break down a well-organised Al-Hilal defence.

Malcom's second goal in the 61st minute effectively ended the contest. Sundowns had grown into the game after half-time, enjoying more possession and creating half-chances, but the Brazilian's finish from a wide cross restored Al-Hilal's two-goal cushion and deflated the visitors' momentum.

Malcom — Player of the Match. The former Barcelona and Zenit winger scored a brace (9', 61') with a poacher's finish and a composed side-footed volley. His movement off the flanks caused Sundowns persistent problems throughout.

Mohammed Al-Rubaie — The Al-Hilal goalkeeper made two crucial first-half saves to deny Matthews and Mailula, preserving the lead at a stage when Sundowns were pressing for an equaliser.

Tashreeq Matthews — Sundowns' most dangerous attacking outlet. The winger forced Al-Rubaie into a sharp save in the first half and linked well with the midfield in transition.

Al-Hilal's 2-0 scoreline disguised a more balanced contest than the result suggests. Sundowns controlled extended periods of the second half but lacked the cutting edge in the final third — a recurring theme from their 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin three days earlier. Al-Hilal's efficiency in front of goal (two goals from Malcom) contrasted with Sundowns' inability to convert territorial dominance into clear chances. The Saudi side's structure under Inzaghi — compact without the ball, direct in transition — proved effective against a Sundowns side still building match sharpness.

For Al-Hilal, the win continued a strong pre-season after victories over Manchester City (3-4 on 1 July) and Pachuca (2-0 on 27 June), with only a defeat to Fluminense (2-1 on 4 July) interrupting their run. They open their Saudi Pro League campaign against Al-Faisaly on 14 August 2026.

For Mamelodi Sundowns — the reigning CAF Champions League winners — this was their second and final pre-season match in Austria after a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin on 21 July. They return to South Africa to face MC Alger in a CAF Champions League group-stage fixture on 27 July 2026 and then open their MTN 8 campaign against Polokwane City on 8 August 2026.

A professional pre-season display from Al-Hilal, who were clinical when it mattered. Sundowns will be encouraged by periods of controlled possession but must sharpen their final-third execution before competitive fixtures resume. Malcom's brace underlined his status as Al-Hilal's most dangerous attacking weapon in the final third.