Al-Ittihad went into halftime 2-1 ahead of Orlando Pirates in a lively 2026-27 pre-season friendly match in Spain, with the opening period offering both attacking moments and a reminder of how quickly the game can turn. Orlando Pirates started on the front foot, but Youssef En Nesyri struck first for Al-Ittihad before Thalente Mbatha responded with a powerful long-range equaliser.
The match then moved through another key moment when a Pirates goal from Moremi was ruled out for offside, leaving the score level at 1-1. That brief swing mattered, because it showed Orlando Pirates were able to press early and create pressure, even if the final touch did not always go their way.
Diaby restores Al-Ittihad's lead
Al-Ittihad were not unsettled for long. Diaby scored to make it 2-1, and that proved to be the halftime score as the teams headed in during a spell marked by intense heat and a hydration pause. For Orlando Pirates, the first half offered evidence of competitiveness and resilience, but also a warning that small defensive lapses can be costly against a side with quality in attack.
The result at the break did not decide anything, of course, but it did give the South African side a clear early measure of where they stand in this European pre-season test. The equaliser from Mbatha will encourage them, while the disallowed goal and the concession of two goals will also give the coaching staff plenty to review.
What the first half showed
From a broadcast-style perspective, the key point was balance. Orlando Pirates were able to create moments, and Mbatha's strike confirmed they have players who can change a game from distance. But Al-Ittihad also showed enough control to recover after the equaliser and finish the half in front.
At 2-1, the contest remained open, but the halftime score reflected the difference between a side that took its chances and a side that needed a little more precision in the final third. In a friendly of this type, that is often the clearest lesson of all.
