마멜로디 선다운스 vs 알 아흘리

Mamelodi Sundowns edged past Al Ahli SC 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld, with Nuno Santos the difference-maker thanks to a well-taken header double either side of halftime. The South African champions started fast and never really let go of the initiative, even after being pegged back early. Santos opened the scoring in the 17th minute, glancing home a header from a Teboho Mokoena cross. Al Ahli hit back almost immediately, level within two minutes when a shot from Firas Al-Birakan cannoned in off Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams for an own goal, making it 1-1 at the break. Yellow cards were shown to Mokoena and Valentin Atangana in a scrappy first half that also saw Merih Demiral receive treatment for an injury. Santos then struck again in the 80th minute, converting another cross to restore the hosts' lead for good. The win keeps Sundowns' Intercontinental Cup run alive on home soil and underlines their attacking threat from set pieces, while Al Ahli will need to tighten up defensively after being repeatedly exposed inside their own box.