USM Alger win the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final

The Algerians got the better of Zamalek SC in a completely mad game.

This first leg of the 2025-2026 CAF Confederation Cup final lived up to all expectations at the 5 July 1962 Stadium. The two teams fought a fierce battle right to the end. Just as the match looked set to end in a draw, everything swung in USM Alger’s favour in the dying moments.

Zamalek scored a goal in the dying minutes, but VAR intervened following a handball in Zamalek’s penalty area. The referee disallowed the goal, awarded a penalty to the Algerian side and showed a red card to Zamalek defender Mahmoud Bentayg. Ahmed Khalil converted the penalty in the 98th minute to secure victory for the home side.

USM Alger have taken a step towards winning the CAF Confederation Cup. The second leg will be played on 16 May in Cairo.