BARAKI, Algeria (Interstat) — Defender Youcef Laouafi scored a hat trick Sunday to lead CR Belouizdad to a 3-1 victory over ES Ben Aknoun in the Ligue 1 season opener at Stade Nelson-Mandela.

Laouafi scored two headers and a right-footed goal in a dominant first-half showing that left the visitors chasing the game from the 11th minute. The win gave CR Belouizdad a 1-0 record in all competitions, while ES Ben Aknoun dropped to 0-1.

Fateh Talah opened the scoring for CR Belouizdad in the 11th minute with a right-footed finish after being set up by substitute Chems-Eddine Lakehal. Talah, who entered the match as a substitute, found space inside the box and slotted home to give the home side an early lead.

Laouafi doubled the advantage in the 25th minute with a header, rising above the ES Ben Aknoun defense to meet a cross from forward Mohamed Ali Ben Hamouda. The goal marked the first of what would become a personal showcase for the defender.

Laouafi struck again in the 34th minute with another header, this time from a delivery by substitute Abdelkader Tamimi, making the score 3-0. He completed his hat trick just before halftime in the 41st minute with a right-footed finish, again assisted by Lakehal.

ES Ben Aknoun pulled one back in the second half but could not mount a full comeback. The visitors’ lone goal came from an unassisted effort, though the specific scorer was not immediately listed among the key contributors.

The match featured three yellow cards. Lakehal was booked in the 21st minute, Tamimi received a caution in the 89th minute, and Ben Hamouda was shown a yellow card in first-half stoppage time.

CR Belouizdad controlled much of the possession and created several scoring chances beyond the four goals. The defense held firm after the early flurry, limiting ES Ben Aknoun’s opportunities to get back into the match.

The result marked a strong opening statement for CR Belouizdad, who capitalized on set pieces and crossing opportunities to overwhelm the ES Ben Aknoun backline. Laouafi’s performance from the back line was particularly notable, as he became the first defender in the league this season to record a hat trick.

ES Ben Aknoun will look to rebound in its next fixture, while CR Belouizdad aims to build on its winning start to the campaign.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of CR Belouizdad 1, ES Ben Aknoun 1, while Interstat’s ELO system gave CR Belouizdad an 84.10 percent probability to win.