DOUÉRA, Algeria (Dec. 29, 2025) (Interstat) — MC Alger opened its domestic campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over rival ES Setif in Algerian Ligue 1 action Monday at Stade Ali Ammar.

Houari Ferhani broke a scoreless stalemate just before halftime, scoring in the 47th minute. The hosts sealed the win with a second-half goal. The match grew contentious, featuring three yellow cards and a red card issued to ES Setif’s Mohamed Benlebna in the 82nd minute.

The result defied a pre-match projection from Interstat, whose simulator had predicted a 1-1 draw despite also giving MC Alger a 90.1% probability to win. Both teams now hold 0-0 records to start the Ligue 1 season.