Mamelodi Sundowns win and move closer to PSG’s opponent

PSG’s road to the Intercontinental final already has a new lead. As Mundo Deportivo reports, Mamelodi Sundowns got past Al Ahli 2-1 on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, booking a place in the Copa Challenger—the competition that will decide PSG’s final-round opponent.

Nuno Santos makes the difference

The match swung early. Portuguese winger Nuno Santos put Sundowns ahead in the 17th minute. Shortly after, Al Ahli equalized thanks to an own goal credited to Ronwen Williams. The turning point then came again via Nuno: he completed his brace in the 80th minute to secure the win.

That result sends Mamelodi to the Copa Challenger, where the remaining opponent is still to be confirmed. The next name will come from the “Derby of the Americas” clash between Toluca—winners of the CONCACAF Champions Cup—and the Copa Libertadores champion, whose final is scheduled for 28 November in Montevideo.

Mundo Deportivo also notes that the CONMEBOL bracket is set with the semifinal ties Estudiantes–Flamengo and Fluminense–Palmeiras, to be played in the second half of October.

For PSG, the headline is that they enter the tournament as Champions League holders for a second consecutive season. The Intercontinental final itself still has open questions, though: the date and venue have yet to be announced.