ALGER, Algeria (Interstat) — Substitute Oussama Bentaleb scored twice in the first half to lead visiting Saoura to a 2-1 victory over USM Alger in an Algerian Ligue 1 match Saturday at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962.

Bentaleb opened the scoring in the eighth minute and added a second in the 39th. USM Alger’s Houssam Eddine Ghacha pulled one back in the second half, assisted by Islam Merili. Saoura’s Riyane Akacem received a second yellow card in the 85th minute, reducing his side to 10 men for the finale.

The result defied pre-match projections, as statistical models heavily favored the home side. Saoura begins its league campaign with a win, while USM Alger starts with a loss.