ORAN, Algeria (Interstat) — MC Oran opened its Ligue 1 campaign with a dramatic 2-1 victory over crosstown rival MC Alger on Friday, scoring a stoppage-time winner to defy pregame projections and secure a derby triumph at Stade Olympique d’Oran.

The match, a tightly contested Algerian top-flight fixture, saw the home side overcome a significant statistical disadvantage. Interstat’s ELO system had given MC Alger a 64.40 percent probability of victory, while its game simulator projected a 1-1 draw. MC Oran’s late heroics rendered those forecasts obsolete.

The game’s first breakthrough came from the visitors against the early run of play. In the 22nd minute, MC Alger forward Boubacar Traoré found space in the penalty area and connected with a cross, powering a header past the goalkeeper to give his side a 1-0 lead. The assist was credited to midfielder Omar Embarek.

MC Oran responded before halftime. Just two minutes after MC Alger’s Mohammed Benkhemassa received a yellow card in the 39th minute, the home side found an equalizer. Substitute Zinedine Ferhat, who had entered the match earlier, leveled the score in the 41st minute with a well-placed finish from the right side. The assist came from forward Abdelaziz Mouley, who was booked himself just two minutes after the goal for a subsequent challenge.

The second half was a physical, tactical battle with both teams struggling to create clear chances. MC Alger’s Embarek and MC Oran’s Gape Mohutsiwa were shown yellow cards in the 41st and 75th minutes, respectively, as the midfield contest intensified. The game appeared destined for the projected draw as it entered added time.

However, deep into stoppage time, MC Oran delivered the decisive blow. In the fourth added minute, another substitute made his mark. Ayoub Abdellaoui, who had come off the bench, found the net with an opportunistic strike to send the home supporters into a frenzy. The winning play was orchestrated by two fellow substitutes, with Alexis Guendouz providing the key pass to Mohammed Benkhemassa, who then assisted Abdellaoui for the clinching goal. Guendouz was shown a yellow card just minutes before his critical contribution.

The result immediately reshapes the early Ligue 1 table. MC Oran begins its season with a victory, moving its league record to one win and no losses. MC Alger, meanwhile, starts with a defeat, its record at no wins and one loss. The records across all competitions mirror those marks for both clubs.

The derby victory provides MC Oran with crucial early momentum, while MC Alger is left to ponder a match where it held a lead and a high probability of victory but ultimately conceded twice, including a devastating late goal, to leave Bir El Djir empty-handed.