Egyptian side Zamalek suffered a gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat to USM Alger in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final on Saturday, with a VAR-awarded stoppage-time penalty handing the Algerians a slender advantage ahead of the return leg in Cairo next week.

The Cairo giants thought they had snatched a late winner, but VAR overturned the decision and instead awarded a penalty to the hosts, which Ahmed Khaldi converted deep into stoppage time. 

Zamalek have one week to brush aside their frustration and reverse the result in the return leg at Cairo stadium on Saturday.

Zamalek coach Motamed Gamal named his regular starting XI, handing rare starts to Angolan winger Chico Banza and Palestinian winger Adam Kaied, while keeping talisman Juan Bezerra, who had just recovered from a muscle injury, on the bench.

Both sides started cautiously, with the White Knights applying early pressure in an attempt to neutralise the home side's advantage on their own turf.

The Whites relied largely on counter-attacks, with Banza spearheading transitions using his pace, although his decision-making in the final third left much to be desired.

Despite dominating possession in spells, USM Alger struggled to break down Zamalek's well-organised defensive structure, though winger Ahmed Khaldi posed an occasional threat down the right flank.

In the 23rd minute, midfielder Islam Merili tried his luck with a long-range effort that drifted wide of the right post. Dabbagh responded swiftly at the other end, latching onto a pass from compatriot Kaied before unleashing a left-footed drive from outside the area that also missed the target.

Zamalek's forward line were repeatedly caught in offside positions throughout the first half, with the hosts deploying an effective offside trap to limit their opponents' rhythm.

The two rivals struggled to create clear-cut chances, offering little to entertain the 50,000 spectators at the 5 Juillet Stadium. Oday Dabbagh tested the hosts with a long-range effort, while Dramane Kamagate responded with an attempt of his own, but neither side seriously threatened the goalkeepers as the teams went into the break level at 0-0.

Dramatic finale

Zamalek emerged with greater intent after the interval, with Banza leading a driving counter-attack down the left flank, dribbling past several defenders, before his left-footed effort from the left side of the box missed to the right.

USM Alger responded five minutes later, as Khaldi's cross was met by a powerful header from Zakaria Draoui that drifted wide to the left. A minute later, Kamagate came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock, only to steer his close-range header narrowly wide.

Banza squandered another golden opportunity for Zamalek shortly after, managing only a tame right-footed shot that was blocked by the Algerian defence after good work to round the goalkeeper.

At the hour mark, Zamalek goalkeeper El Mahdi Soliman came to the rescue with an outstanding double save, denying both Benzaza and Khaldi from point-blank headers in quick succession.

In the 67th minute, Zamalek believed they had broken the deadlock when Banza led a sharp counter-attack down the left wing before cutting inside and teeing up Dabbagh, who found the back of the net. The celebrations were cut short, however, as the referee ruled out the goal for a foul by Banza in the build-up.

In the 74th minute, Gamal turned to his trump card, introducing Brazilian talisman Bezerra in place of Kaied to inject fresh impetus into the attack.

USM Alger continued to press forward as the game entered its final stages, while Zamalek persisted with their counter-attacking approach.

Drama unfolded deep into stoppage time when Bezerra appeared to have snatched a crucial away goal, capitalising on a defensive error to dribble past the last defender and slot home, only for VAR to overturn the decision, citing a foul by defender Hossam Abdelmaguid in the build-up.

Khaldi stepped up to convert the resulting penalty with precision, sending the ball into the top-left corner to give the Algerians a precious lead.

The final minutes brought further misery for the Cairo side, as defender Mahmoud Bentayg was shown a red card for violent conduct, leaving Zamalek with an even steeper mountain to climb in Cairo.