OUARGLA, Algeria (Interstat) — MB Rouisset defeated USM Alger 1-0 on Thursday at Stade OPOW de Rouissat in Ouargla, securing the only goal of the match and holding firm through a tense second half. Ammar El Orfi provided the decisive moment for the home side, finishing with 79 minutes played and one goal. USM Alger, the visiting team, scored no goals and could not produce an equalizer despite late pressure. The victory allowed MB Rouisset to remain unbeaten in the competition and handed USM Alger a difficult result on the road.

El Orfi’s contribution stood as the game’s most important action. His goal separated the teams and ultimately decided the outcome. He was replaced in the 79th minute after a shift that included the winning strike. MB Rouisset then turned to its defense and game management to protect the narrow lead. USM Alger pushed forward in search of a response, but the visitors were unable to break through. The home side’s back line absorbed the pressure and kept the clean sheet intact. The single goal proved enough for MB Rouisset, while USM Alger was left to rue its inability to convert chances into a goal.

The match became increasingly physical as the second half progressed. MB Rouisset’s Hend B. received a yellow card in the 60th minute. USM Alger’s Draoui Z. was booked in the 69th minute. MB Rouisset’s Salem H. was cautioned in the 72nd minute. Two more MB Rouisset yellow cards were issued in the 84th minute, and Djahdou M. was booked in the 89th minute. The flurry of late disciplinary decisions forced MB Rouisset to remain composed during the closing stages. USM Alger tried to use the stoppages to reorganize and mount one final push, but the visiting side could not find a goal. The final minutes were marked by MB Rouisset’s efforts to slow the pace and clear danger.

Both teams made changes as the game moved toward its conclusion. USM Alger made the first substitution in the 62nd minute with Bensaadallah D. MB Rouisset responded in the 67th minute with substitutions for Amqran A. K. and Hend B. USM Alger then made a change in the 74th minute with Bouderbala M., followed by another in the 75th minute with Draoui Z. MB Rouisset made two substitutions in the 79th minute, replacing El Orfi A. and Ben Kheira N. MB Rouisset added another change in the 88th minute with Tlili M. The substitutions reflected the shifting needs of the match, with USM Alger searching for attacking spark and MB Rouisset looking to preserve its advantage.

With the result, USM Alger’s season record in this competition is now 2 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. MB Rouisset’s season record in this competition is now 1 win and 0 losses. USM Alger’s season record across all competitions is now 2 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. MB Rouisset’s season record across all competitions is now 1 win and 0 losses. The outcome gave MB Rouisset a positive start to its competition campaign, while USM Alger was left with a mixed record after its latest outing. The visitors had moments of possession and pressure but could not turn them into a goal, while the hosts made the most of their decisive opportunity.

The game at Stade OPOW de Rouissat was decided by fine margins. MB Rouisset’s ability to score once and defend that lead made the difference. USM Alger’s search for an equalizer continued until the final whistle, but the visitors remained scoreless. The home side celebrated a hard-fought win, while USM Alger turned its attention to the next fixtures on its schedule. MB Rouisset, meanwhile, will look to build on a result that kept its record clean in the competition.

Before kickoff, Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of MB Rouisset 1, USM Alger 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected MB Rouisset with a 55 percent probability to win.