Hilal’s winning start to pre-season ended by MC Alger despite Somerville debut

Al Hilal’s flawless pre-season run was brought to a halt in Austria as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Algerian champions MC Alger, on a night that featured a first appearance for new signing Crysencio Summerville.

The Saudi Pro League holders had opened their preparations for the 2026-27 campaign with successive victories, but were second best in their third friendly of the training camp, played on Wednesday in Austria.

MC Alger struck the opener on 30 minutes. A corner caused chaos in the Hilal penalty area, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic initially clearing off the goal-line, only for Sofiane Bayazid to react quickest and fire the loose ball into an empty net.

Hilal changed personnel after the break but fell further behind on the hour mark. Substitute goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie was beaten by a powerful long-range effort from Mohamed Benkhemassa, who drove in from outside the box to make it 2-0.

The second goal was followed by a brief stoppage in play after Algerian supporters lit and threw smoke canisters in celebration, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah.

Somerville features but cannot turn tide

New Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, recently signed from West Ham United, made his first appearance for Hilal as a second-half substitute.

The 22-year-old was introduced after the interval in an attempt to inject attacking impetus, but was unable to find a breakthrough against a well-organised MC Alger defence as Hilal chased the game.

The match also marked first outings in Hilal colours for full-backs Mohammed Mahzari and Mohammed Al-Sarnoukh following their summer moves from Al-Taawoun and Al-Fateh respectively. Mahzari started the game, while Al-Sarnoukh came off the bench.

Milinkovic-Savic, who had earlier prevented a goal with his goalline clearance in the build-up to the opener, started in midfield before later being withdrawn as managerial staff continued to rotate the squad.

Pre-season run checked in Austria

Defeat was Hilal’s first in a friendly ahead of the new season, after they began their preparations with a 2-1 victory over Austrian side Sturm Graz, followed by a 2-0 win against South African club Mamelodi Sundowns.

The loss to MC Alger therefore ended a run of two straight pre-season wins, but continued to provide minutes for a squad being reshaped during the current transfer window.

Hilal will round off their Austrian training camp on 3 August, when they face Qatar SC in their final friendly before returning to Riyadh to complete preparations for the defence of their domestic and continental titles.