Algerian Cup: 10-man CR Belouizdad stun MC Alger for semifinal place

Reigning Algerian club champions MC Alger have slipped up again in the Algerian Cup after fellow Algiers giants CR Belouizdad upstaged their rivals 3-2 after extra time in the quarterfinals.

Youcef Laouafi was the hero late Tuesday evening after his goal in the 100th minute gave CRB the victory, despite an 80th minute red card. Down 1-2 at the time of the red card, MCA fought back to send the match into extra time courtesy of Mohamed Bangoura’s strike.

It was a back-and-forth match throughout, with league champions MCA coming back twice from deficits. Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda put the hosts ahead in the 17th minute before defender Ayoub Ghezala’s penalty kick pulled MCA level to leave the two teams level at 1-1 by halftime.

A dream start to the second half appeared to set CRB on course for victory. Naoufel Khacef put Le Grand Chabab into the lead before the late drama that ended with Bangoura’s equalizer.

 

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But despite the numerical disadvantage, CRB rallied to find the winning goal in extra time. A hopeful ball lofted into the penalty area found the head of Necer Benzid, whose flick-on was perfect to find the run of Laouafi for the finish.

Despite winning the last two editions of Algeria’s top flight Ligue 1 Mobilis, MC Alger have not won the cup since the 2015-16 season. For CRB, the victory is a big momentum boost ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal clash against Egyptian club Al Masry, with the first leg in Egypt set for March 14 before the second leg in Algeria on March 21.

Both teams will be in action again later this week with league fixtures on Saturday. CRB will host MB Rouissat while MCA, who were eliminated from the CAF Champions League at the group stage, will travel to face relegation fighters ES Mostaganem.