Suez, Egypt – CR Belouizdad of Algeria battled to a 1-1 draw against Al-Masry of Egypt in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal clash on Thursday, March 14, 2026, at the New Suez Stadium. The hard-fought result leaves the tie delicately poised ahead of the return leg.
Salah Mohsen opened the scoring for Al-Masry in the 55th minute, converting a penalty. However, Lotfi Boussouar leveled the score deep into stoppage time, finding the net in the 90+1’ minute to secure a valuable away point for the Algerian side. The match, attended by 2,400 spectators, was officiated by Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo.
A Late Equalizer Shifts Momentum
The game appeared to be heading for a home victory for Al-Masry until Boussouar’s late intervention. The penalty awarded to Al-Masry was a key moment, giving them the lead and seemingly putting them in control of the tie. However, CR Belouizdad demonstrated resilience, continuing to press for an equalizer even as the clock ticked down. Boussouar’s goal, arriving in the dying moments, will undoubtedly boost the team’s confidence heading into the second leg.
Lineups and Key Players
Al-Masry fielded a lineup featuring Essam Tharwat in goal, with a defense anchored by Ahmed Mansour and Mostafa El Aash. Mohamed Hashem and Mohamed Makhlouf controlled the midfield, while Salah Mohsen led the attack. CR Belouizdad responded with a starting eleven including goalkeeper Mounder Temine, and key attacking threats Lotfi Boussouar and Mohamed Youssef.
The match saw tactical battles unfold across the pitch, with both teams attempting to impose their style of play. Al-Masry, playing on home soil, looked to utilize the support of their fans to gain an advantage, while CR Belouizdad aimed to disrupt the home side’s rhythm and exploit any opportunities on the counter-attack.
What This Result Means for the Tie
The 1-1 draw means that the quarterfinal tie remains wide open. CR Belouizdad will now have the advantage of playing the second leg at home, where they will be hoping to capitalize on the momentum gained from their late equalizer. Al-Masry, however, will be confident of their ability to score on Algerian soil and progress to the semi-finals.
The away goal scored by CR Belouizdad is particularly significant. In CAF Confederation Cup competitions, away goals serve as a tie-breaker if the aggregate score is level after both legs. This means that Al-Masry will demand to either win the second leg or secure a draw with more than one goal to advance.
Match Statistics
The statistics from the match reflect the closely contested nature of the encounter. Al-Masry finished with 4 shots on target, while CR Belouizdad managed 5. Possession was fairly even, with Al-Masry holding slightly more of the ball. The game as well saw a number of fouls committed by both sides, indicating the intensity of the battle.
Here’s a snapshot of the key stats:
- Al-Masry: Shots on Target – 4, Possession – 54%
- CR Belouizdad: Shots on Target – 5, Possession – 46%
Looking Ahead: The Second Leg
The second leg of the quarterfinal will be played in Algiers, Algeria, with the date yet to be confirmed by the CAF. CR Belouizdad will be eager to leverage their home advantage and the psychological boost of their late goal to secure a place in the semi-finals. Al-Masry, meanwhile, will need to regroup and devise a strategy to overcome their Algerian opponents on their own turf.
Fans can expect a fiercely contested second leg, with both teams giving their all to reach the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup. The outcome of the tie will likely hinge on which team can maintain their composure and capitalize on their scoring opportunities.
The CAF Confederation Cup continues to deliver exciting football action, and this quarterfinal clash between Al-Masry and CR Belouizdad is a prime example of the competition’s intensity and unpredictability.
The next confirmed checkpoint for both teams is the second leg of this CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal. Stay tuned to Archysport for updates as they become available.
What are your thoughts on this result? Share your predictions for the second leg in the comments below!
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