Brazilian winger Malcom scored both goals for Simone Inzaghi’s side at the Oberbuch Sports Field. The former Barcelona attacker opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a close-range finish and completed his brace just after the hour mark, latching onto a cross to side-foot home and seal the result.
The defeat follows Sundowns’ 1-1 draw with German second-tier side Hertha Berlin earlier in the week, in which new signing Antonio van Wyk found the net.
Miguel Cardoso’s side, missing a host of regulars, showed periods of promise and controlled large spells of the second half but were unable to break down a well-organised Al Hilal defence. Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie produced important saves to deny Tashreeq Matthews and Cassius Mailula in the first half.
Al Hilal fielded a strong lineup that included Karim Benzema, Sergej Milinković-Savić and Malcom as they continued their own pre-season preparations.
The result hands the Saudi giants a solid win on their European tour while providing Sundowns with a stern test against high-quality opposition ahead of the new domestic and continental season.