ALGER, Algeria (Interstat) — Substitute Zinedine Ferhat scored twice in the second half to propel MC Alger to a 3-2 victory over ES Ben Aknoun in the Algerian Ligue 1 opener for both clubs Tuesday at Stade du 20 Août 1955.

Chems-Eddine Lakehal headed MC Alger ahead in the 14th minute. Ferhat doubled the lead with a right-footed strike in the 50th. Adil Djabout pulled one back for the hosts seven minutes later. Ferhat sealed the win with another right-footed goal in first-half stoppage time. A late ES Ben Aknoun goal provided the final margin.

The result defied a pregame projection of a draw by Interstat. Five yellow cards were issued in a chippy second half. MC Alger begins its season 1-0-0, while ES Ben Aknoun starts 0-1-0.