Malcom, the Brazilian striker, made an impressive debut for Al Hilal in the Arab Clubs Cup match against Al Ittihad (3-1). The highly anticipated game featured several big-name players from both teams including Karim Benzema for Al Ittihad.
The game took place in the quarter-finals of the tournament, with Al Hilal finishing second in Group B and Al Ittihad top of Group A. Al Hilal, led by coach Jorge Jesus, had a strong squad that included Malcom, as well as the Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
On the other side, Al Ittihad, managed by Nuno Espírito Santo, counted Benzema as their star striker, supported by players such as Igor Coronado and Romarinho.
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From the start, the match was intense and action-packed. It took place at King Fahd Stadium in Taif, Saudi Arabia. In the 13th minute, Al Hilal took the lead when Rúben Neves took a corner kick into the box and Milinkovic-Savic rose above the defense to score with a header. The Serb celebrated his goal alongside his teammates.
The second goal was scored by a local star: Al Dawsari, converting a penalty that Brazilian Michael received.
Al Ittihad tried to react in the second half. Romarinho, the former Corinthians player, gave them some momentum in the beginning of the second half after an assist from compatriot Igor Conorado.
The thing is that Malcom cooled the reaction by scoring the third for Al Hilal, right on his debut for the team.
In the end of the match, Karim Benzema lost a penalty.
