MC Alger strengthened their march towards the Ligue 1 Mobilis title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over fierce rivals USM Alger in a tense Algiers derby played behind closed doors at the Ali-La Pointe Stadium.
In a match defined by intensity, missed chances, and moments of brilliance, it was a stunning early strike from Youcef Belaïli Ferhat that ultimately separated the two sides and secured a fifth consecutive league win for the Bab El-Oued outfit.
Fast Start and Early Drama
Despite Mouloudia’s strong recent form, it was USM Alger who threatened first. Inside the opening minute, Ghacha embarked on a dangerous run that nearly caught the MCA defence off guard, only for Ghezala to intervene with a crucial clearance.
Mouloudia responded quickly, with Kipré Jr almost breaking the deadlock in the 8th minute, but Loucif produced a timely interception to deny the forward a clear opportunity.
The breakthrough arrived in the 14th minute and it was spectacular.
A long ball from Ghezala found Ferhat in a tight, off-centre position. With remarkable technique, he unleashed a right-footed volley that soared into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Benbot with no chance. The goal was briefly reviewed by VAR before being confirmed, sparking celebrations from the MCA bench.
Missed Chances and Defensive Resilience
The remainder of the first half saw both sides create opportunities but fail to convert. Ferhat nearly turned villain moments after his goal, almost heading into his own net from a Benzaza free-kick.
USMA continued to push forward and thought they had a chance to equalise when Draoui appeared to win a penalty, only for the move to be ruled out for offside.
In the second half, the intensity remained high. Azzi came close with a header, while Bangoura forced a strong save from Benbot with a dangerous cross-shot.
At the other end, Khaldi’s powerful header looked destined for the net, but Ramdane produced a superb save to preserve MCA’s slender lead.
Naïdji’s Misses Nearly Cost MCA
Mouloudia had several chances to kill the game, but Naïdji squandered key opportunities that could have made the result more comfortable.
First, he failed to capitalise on a defensive error, losing a one-on-one duel with Benbot. Then, in the 76th minute, he missed another clear chance, leaving MCA fans—watching from afar due to the closed-door setting on edge.
Despite these missed chances, Mouloudia’s defensive organisation held firm in the closing stages, ensuring they saw out the match without conceding.
“Kings” of the Capital
With this victory, MC Alger not only extended their winning streak to five matches but also reinforced their dominance in the Algerian capital.
The result keeps them firmly on course in the title race, showcasing a blend of attacking quality, defensive discipline, and resilience under pressure.
