BÉCHAR, Algeria (Interstat) — Host Saoura opened its Algerian Ligue 1 campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over MC Alger on Sunday, defying pre-match projections in a match decided by impactful substitutions.

Playing before a home crowd at Stade du 20 Août 1955, Saoura conceded first but rallied with a goal just before halftime and a second-half winner to secure three points. The result immediately separated the two sides in the early season table, with Saoura earning a win and MC Alger taking a loss in their first outing of the domestic competition.

The match began against the statistical grain. Pre-game analysis from Interstat gave the visiting side from Algiers a 54.6 percent probability of victory, with its ELO system favoring MC Alger. The firm’s match simulator had predicted a 1-1 draw. Those forecasts appeared credible when MC Alger’s Zakaria Naidji, introduced as a substitute, broke the deadlock in the 16th minute. The replacement forward found space and finished with his right foot to stun the home supporters and give his team an early advantage.

Saoura responded with growing pressure and found its equalizer in dramatic fashion deep into first-half stoppage time. The sequence originated from another substitute, as Mohamed Réda Halaimia provided the assist on a set piece. Defender Nasreddine Zaalani rose highest to powerfully head the ball home, leveling the score at 1-1 and shifting the momentum squarely in Saoura’s favor heading into the break.

The second half saw the match grow increasingly tense, with four yellow cards issued after the restart. The decisive moment arrived in the 81st minute. Again, substitutes played a pivotal role. Abdelkader Menezla and Alhassane Bangoura, both having entered the match from the bench, combined to set up the winner. Their work released forward Ismail Saâdi, who calmly slotted a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper to complete the turnaround and put Saoura ahead 2-1.

MC Alger pushed for a second equalizer but could not break down a resolute Saoura defense, which held firm through the final minutes. The physical nature of the contest was reflected in the disciplinary record, with all four cautions shown to substitutes. In addition to the goal contributors, MC Alger’s Mohamed Zougrana also received a yellow card.

The victory gives Saoura an ideal start to the Ligue 1 season, marking its first win across all competitions this campaign. For MC Alger, the loss represents a disappointing beginning, as it searches for its first positive result of the season in any tournament. The match ultimately underscored the value of squad depth, with five of the seven key statistical contributions—two goals and three assists—coming from players who began the game on the bench.