Zamalek SC suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against USM Alger at the 5 Juillet Stadium in the first leg of the 2026 CAF Confederation Cup final. In a match defined by late VAR drama, the Egyptian giants now face a mountain to climb in the return leg.
From Celebration to Despair
The match reached a boiling point in the final moments:
-
The Disallowed Goal: In the 90th minute, Zamalek’s Brazilian star Juan Becerra scored what appeared to be the winning goal after a brilliant individual effort.
-
The VAR Twist: As Zamalek celebrated, the referee consulted VAR for a foul in the opposite box. The goal was overturned, and a penalty was awarded to USM Alger for a foul by Hossam Abdelmaguid.
-
The Winner: Ahmed Khaldi calmly converted the penalty in the 98th minute to give the hosts the lead.
-
Red Card: Amidst the chaos, Zamalek’s Mahmoud Bentayg was sent off for protesting the decision.
Egyptian Premier League 2026: Title Decider Dates Announced for Zamalek, Pyramids, and Al Ahly
The Decider in Cairo
Zamalek must now win the second leg by at least a two-goal margin to secure their third Confederation Cup title. The return match is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Cairo International Stadium (20:00 Cairo time).
