USM Alger scored deep into stoppage time to beat Zamalek 1-0 in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final on Saturday night in Algiers.
Ahmed Khaldi converted a penalty in the 98th minute at the 5 July Stadium after a dramatic VAR decision denied Zamalek a late winner.
The match looked set to end goalless after both sides struggled to create clear chances for most of the game.
Zamalek almost scored early through Chico Banza, but his effort was saved comfortably. USM Alger then controlled possession for long periods, with Khaldi, Islam Merili and Dramane Kamagate leading their attacks, although the visitors defended well.
In the second half, Banza came close again after a brilliant solo run, but a USM Alger defender cleared his shot off the line. Zamalek also had a goal ruled out after Oday Al-Dabbagh was judged to have committed a foul in the build-up.
USM Alger continued to push forward, forcing goalkeeper El Mahdi Slimane into several important saves, while Kamagate and Zakaria Draoui both missed chances from headers.
The biggest drama came in stoppage time.
Juan Bezerra thought he had scored the winning goal for Zamalek after finishing calmly following a defensive mistake. However, the referee consulted VAR and ruled out the goal for a handball by Hossam Abdel-Maguid earlier in the move.
Instead, USM Alger were awarded a penalty, while Mahmoud Bentayg was sent off for protesting the decision.
Khaldi stepped up and calmly scored from the spot to give the Algerian side a crucial first-leg advantage.
The return leg will be played in Cairo on 16 May, with Zamalek now needing a strong home performance to keep their title hopes alive.
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