CAF Confederation Cup: CR Belouizdad steal precious away goal at Al Masry

Algerian giants CR Belouizdad found a late goal against the run of play to snatch a surprise 1-1 first leg draw against hosts Al Masry from Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal clash.

🎞️ Match Highlights:
Late equaliser from Boussouar after Salah Mohsen’s first-half penalty.#TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/NYlxeEgEt8

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) March 14, 2026

Salah Mohsen’s penalty kick early in the second half was cancelled out by an excellent strike from distance by CRB substitute Lotfi Boussouar, who completed a late rally from the visitors to take a favorable result back home for the second leg.

CAF Confederation Cup heartbreak for Masry

Despite the strong performance in front of their supporters at the Suez Stadium in Port Suez, Al Masry will regret not adding more to their total after dominating the visitors. CRB goalkeeper Farid Chaal played a major role in keeping his club’s hopes alive to set up a spectacular late rally for the draw.

The Algeria national team’s number one keeper at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup did brilliantly to save Temine’s diving header in the 6th minute before foiling Temine again later in the first half on his compatriot’s deflected effort.

But Temine continued to cause problems for the CRB defense and his clever move in the penalty area led to a VAR review early in the second half. After referee Jean-Jacques Ndala confirmed an offense had occurred, the resulting penalty led to Mohsen sending Chaal the wrong way with his spot kick.

The Algerian visitors began to apply consistent pressure in the final fifteen minutes, with Masry keeper Essam Tharwat fortunate to escape after a shot hit the post and went off his legs before he was able to collect the ball. Substitute forward Jean-Charles Ahoua then spoiled a golden opportunity a couple minutes later.

But Tharwal’s luck ran out in stoppage time when Boussouar collected a pass at the edge of the penalty area before striking a low hard shot on the volley. Tharwal could not recover his momentum and could only watch the ball sneak by him for a crucial away goal.

The referee blows the final whistle! 🔥#TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/fWacer5t2t

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) March 14, 2026

Despite their first leg struggles, the late goal means CRB will now fancy their chances next week back home in Algiers in a week’s time.