Zamalek lost to USM Alger in the CAF Confederation Cup final first leg after a late VAR review ruled led to the winning penalty.
Zamalek lost 1-0 to USM Alger in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final in Algiers after a late VAR review overturned a Zamalek goal and awarded the hosts a penalty.
The decisive sequence came in the 88th minute, when Juan Bezerra appeared to put Zamalek ahead. After a VAR review, the referee ruled the goal out. Mahmoud Bentayg was sent off in the aftermath of the decision, leaving the White Knights to finish the match with 10 men.
Ahmed Khaldi scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. The victory gave USM Alger a narrow aggregate lead before the second leg in Cairo on May 16.
Zamalek had earlier missed chances to take the lead. Chico Banza sent an early effort straight at the goalkeeper in the sixth minute and missed another clear opportunity in the 53rd minute.
USM Alger pushed for a breakthrough after the interval, while Zamalek defended in numbers and looked for counterattacks.
The return match is scheduled to take place in Cairo International Stadium. The winner will receive $4 million, while the runner-up will receive $2 million.
Zamalek are seeking their third Confederation Cup title after winning the competition in 2019 and 2024. USM Alger won the title in 2023.