FIFA Intercontinental Cup
Nuno Santos struck twice for the African champions, with Al Ahli’s only goal coming through a Ronwen Williams own goal, as the Saudi Arabian side’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 campaign came to an end.
An electric atmosphere inside the Loftus Versfeld Stadium greeted the two sides and the football on the pitch matched it. There was pandemonium early on with Santos bringing the home fans to their feet by rising high and thumping home a header.
Al Ahli responded immediately, as Feras Al Brikan’s shot deflected off Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and over the line.
Each side had opportunities to take a lead into half-time, Al Ahli through a pair of Francisco Trincao chances and a Brayan Leon header for Sundowns that Edouard Mendy corralled.
Things stood on a knife’s edge throughout the second half as the teams traded punches, but it was a moment of magic that would settle things, as Santos once again was lethal inside the area by steering home a header to deliver victory to the hosts.
Sundowns’ opponents in the FIFA Challenger Cup will be the winners of the FIFA Derby of the Americas, which will bring Concacaf Champions Cup holders Toluca together with the winners of the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores. The South American champions will be crowned in Montevideo, Uruguay, on November 28.
The winners of the FIFA Challenger Cup will advance to face Paris Saint Germain in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 final. The final three matches of the competition will be played in one host country, which will be confirmed in due course.
Sources: FIFA, Al Ahli Saudi FC
