ALGER, Algeria (Interstat) — CR Belouizdad defeated ES Setif 3-1 on Thursday in an Algerian Ligue 1 match at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962. The result defied a pregame statistical projection of a 1-1 draw.

Defender Youcef Laouafi opened the scoring with a header in the 63rd minute for the hosts. Lotfi Boussouar doubled the lead in the 76th minute before ES Setif’s Mohamed Ali Ben Hamouda headed in a consolation goal in second-half stoppage time. Akram Djahnit sealed the win for Belouizdad with a goal moments later.

The match featured five yellow cards. CR Belouizdad improved its league record to 5-2-4, while ES Setif fell to 3-3-6.