Santos Header Double Sinks €193m Al Ahli As Sundowns Reach FIFA Cup Semi-Finals

Nuno Santos scored a double as Mamelodi Sundowns reached the FIFA Intercontinental Cup semi-finals after dispatching Saudi Arabian giants Al Ahli SC 2-1 at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

Santos struck with headers in either half to seal a famous victory for the South African champions, who also claimed the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup trophy with the win.

Sundowns advance to face the winner of the FIFA Derby of the Americas—contested between Mexican side Toluca and the CONMEBOL Libertadores champions—for a place in the final against European champions Paris Saint-Germain later this year.

Al Ahli’s star-studded roster boasts a market valuation of €193.90 million—nearly five times Sundowns’ €41.60 million squad value. The Saudi Pro League outfit fielded top international talent, including former Juventus defender Merih Demiral, England striker Ivan Toney, and former Senegal shot-stopper Édouard Mendy, who won the 2021 UEFA Champions League with Chelsea and the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

Despite pre-match predictions of a cagey affair, Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso signaled his side’s intent early. The home side opened the scoring from a clever short-corner routine when Teboho Mokoena floated a precise cross into the box, allowing Santos to loop his header past a rooted Mendy.

Al Ahli nearly responded immediately through Toney, who dropped deep to orchestrate attacks. The former Brentford striker slipped a neat reverse pass to Francisco Trincão, but the Portuguese winger dragged his shot wide from the left channel.

Two minutes later, Ahli got the equaliser. Tovey, who has scored 10 goals in seven matches this season, broke away and squared a cross to Firas Al Buraikan.  

Al Buraikan’s shot was saved by Ronwen Williams, but the ball struck his face and the ball trinkled in for his own goal.  

Sundowns almost doubled their lead when Santos clipped a cross into the box for Brayan Léon, but the Colombian striker’s header from behind Demiral was comfortably gathered by Mendy.

On the stroke of half-time, Al Ahli threatened again, forcing Williams into a sharp diving save to palm away Trincão’s goalbound header at the back post.

The second half began at a slower, stop-start pace, but Sundowns gradually asserted dominance as Al Ahli retreated deeper into their own half. Khulumane Ndamane came close in the 66th minute, connecting with an Aubrey Modiba free-kick but failing to direct his header on target.

Sundowns’ relentless pressure finally paid off in the 80th minute. New signing Thabang Matuludi curled an inviting cross into the box, and Santos threw himself forward to power home his second header of the afternoon.

It was a fully deserved victory for Sundowns, whose tactical discipline and second-half dominance secured a landmark result for South African and African football on the global stage.