Zamalek and Al-Masry played out a goalless draw at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, sharing the points after a tightly contested third-round meeting in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.
The stalemate left Al-Masry Al-Portsaidi top of Group D with seven points, while Zamalek moved to five points in second place, as neither side managed to turn periods of control into a decisive goal.
The match opened with both teams exchanging spells of possession, although Al-Masry produced the greater number of attacking moves in the early stages.
Many of their attempts, however, broke down before reaching the final third, allowing Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awad to remain largely untroubled.
The first clear chance arrived in the 21st minute and almost came through an own goal.
A cross deflected off Zamalek defender Ahmed Abdel Rahim “Esho”, sending the ball goalwards, but Awad reacted sharply to make a crucial save and keep his side level.
Zamalek responded eight minutes later when Adam Kayed struck a powerful effort from outside the penalty area, only for the ball to sail over the crossbar.
Pressure increased as the half progressed, and in the 32nd minute Al-Masry goalkeeper Mahmoud Hamdi denied Zamalek after Juan Bezerra broke through and fired towards goal.
The closest either side came before the interval was in the 41st minute, when the crossbar intervened to deny Zamalek the lead.
Seifeddine Jaziri’s strike beat the goalkeeper but not the frame of the goal, and the first half ended scoreless.
Al-Masry began the second half with renewed intent, testing Awad again in the 47th minute through a shot from Osama Zamrawi, which the Zamalek goalkeeper saved comfortably.
The game then settled into another period of balanced exchanges, with neither team able to assert sustained dominance.
Zamalek coach Moataz Gamal made changes on the hour, introducing Mohamed El-Sayed and Palestinian forward Oday Dabbagh in place of Adam Kayed and Seifeddine Jaziri.
Four minutes later, Al-Masry head coach Nabil Al-Kouki responded by bringing on Mahmoud Hamada and Munther Tamin for Hassan Ali and Zamrawi.
Al-Masry came close to breaking the deadlock in the 73rd minute when Munther Tamin delivered a cross that Salah Mohsen met, but his effort flew high.
A minute later, Omar Al-Sa’i replaced Amjad Sawafteh as Al-Masry made their third substitution.
Zamalek had a late opportunity in the 75th minute when defender Mohamed Ismail unleashed a long-range shot, but it was saved by the Al-Masry goalkeeper.
Despite continued rivalry and intent in the closing stages, neither side managed to create a decisive opening.
The match ended goalless, confirming a share of the points and leaving Group D finely balanced as the Confederation Cup campaign continues.
