Mamelodi Sundowns feel full force of Karim Benzema’s Al-Hilal

Mamelodi Sundowns were handed a reality check following a 2-0 loss to Saudi giants Al-Hilal in a pre-season friendly in Austria on Friday.

Brazilian forward Malcom was the man of the moment as he scored both goals for the Saudi Pro League side, either side of the two halves.

It took Al-Hilal just nine minutes to break the deadlock when Malcom received the ball from a well-taken pass over the Sundowns defence before getting one-on-one with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and slotting home easily.

Benzema plays but Malcom shines

Al-Hilal started the game in a high tempo and put Sundowns on the back foot with the Brazilians unable to play their usual slick passing move.

Miguel Cardoso’s side were restricted to long range strikes and set-pieces which they failed to make count. Their best chance came in the 41^st minute through a well-taken freekick which the Al-Hilal goalkeeper kept out.

Al-Hilal, who had top names like Karim Benzema, Kalidou Koulibaly and Ruben Neves added to their advantage in the 62^nd minute when Malcom latched into a good low cross from the right to score after beating Khuliso Mudau to the ball.

Sundowns handed reality check

It is the second pre-season friendly for Sundowns after their 1-1 draw with German side Hertha Berlin and will now take on Algerian side MC Alger on Monday.

The Brazilians confirmed that Keegan Johannes, Iqraam Rayners, Thato Sibiya, Marcelo Allende, Bathusi Aubaas, Brayan Leon, Keanu Cupido, Siyanda Ndlovu, Nuno Santos, Katlego Ntsabeleng, Arthur Sales, Thapelo Morena and Teboho Mokoena were not available but they still had enough quality on the pitch.