MONASTIR, Tunisia (Interstat) — In a Tunisian Ligue 1 match that defied pregame projections, Stade Gabesien and Monastir played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday at Stade de Zrig, with the home side scoring a dramatic equalizer deep into second-half stoppage time.

The result saw both clubs open their league campaigns with a single point, leaving their season records identical at zero wins, zero losses, and one draw across all competitions.

The match was heavily influenced by a first-half red card shown to Yassine Dridi of Monastir in the 18th minute, forcing the visiting side to play with 10 men for the majority of the contest. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Monastir managed to take a late lead, only to see it erased in the final moments.

The game’s outcome stood in stark contrast to the statistical forecasts. The Interstat game simulator had accurately projected the 1-1 final score, but its ELO rating system had given Monastir a 91.60 percent probability of winning before kickoff, a prediction upended by the early dismissal.

The match’s first goal did not arrive until the 70th minute and was the product of a key individual performance. Ghislain Ahoudo, a midfielder for Monastir, broke the deadlock by firing his team into the lead. He was immediately shown a yellow card for his goal celebration. The assist on the play was credited to teammate Ridouane Assane.

Just as Monastir appeared poised to secure an improbable victory with 10 men, Stade Gabesien found its answer. In the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, substitute Raed Chikhaoui delivered the decisive blow, scoring the equalizer to salvage a point for the home side. The assist on the late goal was provided by Ahoudo, who finished the match with one goal and one assist.

Assane, who assisted on Monastir’s goal, was also shown a yellow card in the 89th minute, just before the dramatic conclusion.

The draw leaves both teams seeking their first victory of the young Ligue 1 season as they move forward with identical records.