Photo Credit: Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad
CR Belouizdad brought their best performance on Wednesday in an Algiers Derby victory over defending Algerian club champions MC Alger, winning 3-1 at the Stade du 5 Juillet. Andy Delort opened the scoring for hosts MCA inside fifteen minutes but Islam Slimani equalized for CRB before second half goals from Abdelraouf Benguit and Naoufel Khacef confirmed victory for Le Grand Chabab.
The atmosphere created by the supporters was fitting of a North African derby and hosts MCA, who ended four consecutive seasons of CRB dominance by winning the title last season, responded positively. Delort missed a penalty kick in the opening ten minutes but was in the right place to open the scoring soon after with an easy finish that originated from a clever pass over the top of the CRB defense by Ivorian midfielder Kipré Zunon.
The joy was short lived for MCA supporters and it was Algeria national team legend Slimani who equalized after the half hour mark with a clean strike from a cross by Abderrahmane Meziane. CRB took the lead in the 65th minute courtesy of Benguit who unleashed a beautiful strike from distance past MCA goalkeeper Toufik Moussaoui.
Late on victory was confirmed for CRB when MCA defender Serge Badjo took too long on the ball near his penalty area, allowing Khacef to steal the ball and find room for his finish past Moussaoui.
MCA are level on 16 points at the top of the table with USM Alger who can now take sole possession of first place this weekend. Inconsistent form has CRB in 10th place on 10 points but the result on Wednesday will provide a boost to the morale of the team.
Highlights
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