ALGIERS, Algeria
Mamelodi Sundowns took a massive step towards a first CAF Champions League semi-final since the 2018/19 season when they cruised past Algeria's CR Belouizdad 4-1 in the first leg of their quarterfinal at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Saturday.
Cruised is an operative term because Sundowns were slightly behind from a ball possession and territory perspective, but looked like having a goal in them every time they attacked.
They had 15 shots, six of which were on target and four in the net in what was a dismissive and commanding showing.
That they scored four goals, despite the concession of a goal before half-time, spoke volumes of the need to seal a tie away from home.
They were reliant on a brace from Peter Shalulile, Neo Maema, and a late goal from Cassius Mailula to complete a superb win.
Sundowns opened their account in the sixth minute when Shalulile nodded in Aubrey Modiba's cross after the hosts failed to clear a corner.
The goal was checked for offside, with the video assistant referee being in use, but the goal stood, much to the displeasure of the large crowd in the Algerian capital.
They were stunned into further silence in the 21st minute when superb interplay between Themba Zwane and Shalulile saw the Belouizdad defence open up like butter meeting a hot knife, with Maema having a simple tap in.
The hosts were shocked and tried to summon a response, but with a defence line that contained Moroccan Abdelmounaim Boutouil, a player primed for such occasions, they simply couldn't puncture a hole.
They were rather unfortunate not to be given a 36th-minute penalty when Mothobi Mvala handled the ball in the box, but Kenyan referee Peter Waweru not only waved away the complaint, but was also absolved by VAR.
The hosts did pull one back on the stroke of half-time through Miloud Rebai, who nodded in a corner, but that was all she wrote for the hosts.
Sundowns effectively sealed the game in the 51st minute when Thapelo Morena put Shalulile into space, who banged the ball past Alexis Guendoz.
That knocked the stuffing out of the hosts, even though they try to attack. However, they did so with without any real direction or purpose.
Shalulile should have completed a hat trick in the 81st-minute when he rounded Guendouz, but his shot came off the bar.
In additional time, Mailula completed the rout and effectively booked Sundowns' place.
Belouizdad may be buoyed by the fact that they beat Sundowns 2-0 at Loftus in a group game two years ago, but next week, at altitude, they'll have a mountain to climb that may be beyond them.
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