Sundowns must now rely on Orlando Pirates being stunned in their final two matches or they will end the season without the league trophy for the first time since 2017.
Galaxy claimed a first victory under interim coach Bernard Parker and ended a 13-match winless run in the league as they secured top-flight football for next season, having now pulled clear of relegation danger.
Sundowns will now fully focus on the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR, starting with the home leg in Pretoria on Sunday.
Pirates’ title to lose
Sundowns have now completed their league season and top the Betway Premiership by three points, but having played two games more than second-placed Orlando Pirates.
The Buccaneers have a +44 goal difference and Sundowns +36, so realistically need just three more points from a home clash against Durban City on Saturday or a trip to Orbit College the following week.
What is for sure is that Pirates cannot mathematically win the league this coming weekend, but unless they have a catastrophic finish to the campaign, they will end Sundowns’ eight-year run as champions.
The Brazilians must hope Pirates are somehow held to two draws, or less …
Galaxy get lift-off
TS Galaxy hit the front following an early penalty after a foul by Zuko Mdunyelwa on Seluleko Mahlambi. He could have few complaints as he caught the midfielder from behind as he burst into the box.
Veteran forward Victor Letsoalo made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams the wrong way.
It was back-to-back goals for Letsoalo after he also scored against Chippa United in the last game, and a seventh of the season in all competitions.
Leaky Sundowns
It was 2-0 on 18 minutes as Galaxy hit Sundowns on the break, and in all fairness they deserved it.
Mahlambi broke up the middle and fed Sedwyn George on the right-hand side of the box. His low shot was beyond Williams and nestled in the far corner.
It was the sixth goal Sundowns had conceded in 78 minutes of football if you include their extraordinary 7-4 win over Siwelele on Saturday, their defence suddenly becoming porous.
Given that Sundowns have only conceded 21 league goals all season, 33% of the goals they have let in during the campaign have come in their final two matches.
It was George’s first goal for the club and his first since he netted for Royal AM against Galaxy in December 2024.
Sundowns level with quickfire double
Who else but Brayan Leon to get goals for Sundowns as he scored twice in two minutes.
Nuno Santos’ cross from the right was superb and Leon rose unopposed to head into the back of the net, with the Galaxy centre-backs all at sea.
He then had the chance to convert a penalty after Mpho Mvelase’s handball in the box and easily found the back of the net.
Leon has been a superb signing since joining the club in January and took his goals tally to 15 in 24 appearances in all competitions. You can add a couple of assists to that too.
And what of the ‘Assist King’ Santos, who now has 16 goal contributions in 34 games, 11 of them assists for teammates.
Remarkably, it was just the third time in 30 years of the PSL that Sundowns were drawing 2-2 at half-time.
Galaxy back in front
The game had only just kicked off for the second half when Galaxy took the lead again.
They won possession in midfield and Sphesihle Maduna burst down the middle behind the Sundowns defence.
He might have taken the shot on himself, but unselfishly squared for Mvelase to complete a tap-in and make up for his role in the Sundowns penalty.
The 37-year-old Mvelase does not score many, but kudos to him for being up with the play and netting for the first time since August.
It is also the first time Sundowns have conceded three or more goals in back-to-back league games in 18 years, since 2008.
Galaxy the bogeymen
Galaxy have been a bogey side for Sundowns in recent times, who are now winless in their last five visits to Mbombela (D2 L3).
No other team has enjoyed such home dominance over Sundowns in the last decade.
For some reason Galaxy get under their skin and, having knocked Sundowns out of the Nedbank Cup with a 2-0 home win earlier in the campaign, proved that was no fluke.