Hertha Berlin and Mamelodi Sundowns played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in an international club friendly on July 21, 2026. The match, held at a neutral venue and starting at 23:00 local time, served as a valuable preseason test for both sides.

Match Summary

Hertha Berlin, the German second-division side, took the lead in the first half through a well-placed strike from midfield. However, Mamelodi Sundowns—South Africa's reigning Premier Soccer League champions—responded with a superb equalizer just before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.

The second half saw end-to-end action, with both teams creating chances but unable to find a winner. The 1-1 result was a fair reflection of a competitive encounter where both coaches experimented with substitutions and formations.

Key Moments

• 23' – Hertha Goal: A powerful shot from outside the box beat the Sundowns goalkeeper after a quick counter-attack.
• 41' – Sundowns Equalizer: A flowing move down the right wing ended with a low cross being tapped in at the far post.
• Second Half: Each side hit the woodwork once, with Hertha also having a goal disallowed for offside.

Tactical Observations

Hertha Berlin dominated possession early on, using their pressing game to force errors. Sundowns grew into the match as it progressed, demonstrating their trademark physicality and speed on the break. The friendly allowed both managers to assess squad depth ahead of their respective domestic campaigns.

For Hertha, this was a promising performance against a strong African opponent, while Sundowns will be pleased with their resilience and attacking threat.