USM Alger defeat CR Belouizdad to win Coupe d’Algérie

USM Alger ended a poor 2024-25 season on a positive note after defeating Algiers rivals CR Belouizdad by a 2-0 score on Saturday to claim the Coupe d’Algérie trophy.

An ideal start to the match left USM Alger with a large enough lead to hold off CRB for their 9th domestic cup triumph and their first since the 2012-13 season. Regardless of Saturday’s result, both teams had already secured their places in the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup.

Riad Benayad’s finish in the 9th minute was a just reward for USMA, who came out from the first whistle with the necessary intensity required to win a cup final. High pressing caused a turnover by the CRB defense and Brahim Benzaza set up Benayad for the finish past CRB goalkeeper Moustapha Zeghba.

The disaster was complete for CRB less than five minutes later when Ahmed Khaldi doubled the advantage for USMA. Captain Adem Alilet embarked on a dribbling run through the midfield before placing an excellent pass to send Khaldi in to finish past the onrushing Zeghba for a goal that left CRB supporters in dismay.

Saturday’s defeat completes a late season collapse that saw CR Belouizdad fail to not only win a trophy this season but also miss out on qualification for the 2025-26 CAF Champions League on the final day of the league campaign. CRB fell to league champions MC Alger in the final of the Super Cup back in early February and now they have fallen to USMA in the Coupe d’Algérie final.

The perfect start was needed for USMA, who struggled to score goals throughout the campaign while still maintaining a strong defense. They also struggled in the final stages of the season after bowing out in the quarterfinals of this season’s CAF Confederation Cup, but winning the cup will be a relief after a poor league performance that saw them finish 8th on the table.

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