Al Hilal’s Malcom hits brace as Mamelodi Sundowns suffer first pre-season defeat

Al Hilal handed Mamelodi Sundowns their first defeat of pre-season as a Malcom double secured a 2-0 win for the Saudi Pro League side in a friendly on Friday evening.

The Brazilian winger struck in each half at the Oberbuch Sports Field on 24 July 2026, as the Saudi Arabian giants proved too clinical for Miguel Cardoso’s team in the second match of Sundowns’ European training camp.

Sundowns had opened their preparations with a 1-1 draw against 2. Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin on Wednesday, when new signing Antonio van Wyk scored his first goal for the club. But they were unable to build on that result against a powerful Al Hilal line-up.

Malcom decisive as Saudi side start fast

Al Hilal, featuring Karim Benzema, Malcom and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from the start in what was their second friendly of pre-season, took control early on.

The breakthrough came after just nine minutes, when Malcom finished from close range to give Simone Inzaghi’s side the lead.

Sundowns, who were forced to chase the game from that point, struggled to create clear chances against a well-organised Al Hilal defence, despite seeing spells of possession as the half wore on.

The South African champions went into the interval trailing 1-0, having been largely contained by Inzaghi’s team, who managed the tempo and limited opportunities in the final third.

Second-half response falls short

Cardoso’s side saw more of the ball after the break and mounted a stronger challenge in the second period, but could not turn their improved control into goals.

Just after the hour mark, Al Hilal doubled their advantage, again through Malcom, who capitalised to score his second of the match and effectively end Sundowns’ hopes of a comeback.

Despite the Brazilians’ efforts to respond, they were unable to find a route back into the contest, and the match ended in a first pre-season loss following their earlier draw with Hertha Berlin.

Benzema future remains uncertain

The game came amid ongoing uncertainty over Karim Benzema’s role at Al Hilal.

Reports in Europe have suggested the French forward is seeking clarity on his place in the squad ahead of the new Saudi Pro League campaign, with claims the club are considering registering him only for the AFC Champions League.

Benzema nonetheless featured from the start against Sundowns as Al Hilal continued to build fitness and cohesion ahead of their competitive season.

For Sundowns, the defeat provides Cardoso with an early measure of his squad against high-level opposition, just days into their pre-season schedule. The South African side will now look to build on minutes in the legs and the performance aspects of their European tour as preparations continue for the new campaign.