Al Masry edge five-goal thriller to move second in Egyptian Premier League

Al Masry moved up to second place in the Egyptian Premier League after surviving a dramatic 3-2 victory over Al Mokawloon Al Arab at New Suez Stadium.

Mahmoud Hamada, Hussein Faisal and Mohamed El Shamy scored for Al Masry, while Idrissa Thiam and Omar Kamal Abdel Wahed replied for Al Mokawloon Al Arab in an entertaining contest.

The result gives Al Masry six points from their opening two matches, leaving them level on points with Pyramids but ahead of them on goal difference. Al Mokawloon Al Arab, meanwhile, suffered their second defeat of the campaign and remain 18th without a point.

Al Masry had not beaten Al Mokawloon Al Arab since 2024, with the two previous meetings between the sides ending in draws.

The victory sets up an eagerly anticipated meeting with Pyramids on Monday in the third round of the competition.

Teams and match action

Mohamed Makhlouf was selected in central midfield for Al Masry in place of Hassan Ali. Al Mokawloon Al Arab made one change in attack, with Mohamed Sandouka starting instead of Joaquim Ojera.

The visitors took the lead in the 36th minute following an indirect free-kick. A touch in the penalty area allowed Mauritanian forward Idrissa Thiam to shoot beyond Al Masry goalkeeper Mahmoud Hamdy, finding the left side of the net.

Al Masry restored parity before half-time through Mahmoud Hamada. The midfielder headed home from inside the 18-yard box after Abdullah El Zayani’s effort had been redirected into his path.

The hosts then turned the match around seven minutes after the interval. Salah Mohsen’s shot was saved by Mahmoud Abou El Saud, but substitute Hussein Faisal reacted quickest to follow up and put Al Masry ahead in the 52nd minute.

Al Mokawloon Al Arab introduced Omar Kamal Abdel Wahed in the 77th minute, and the change produced an immediate impact. Eight minutes after coming on, he collected a pass from Shady Hussein inside the penalty area and struck a powerful shot into the top corner to make it 2-2.

The decisive moment came with eight minutes remaining. A defensive mistake by Al Mokawloon Al Arab allowed Mohamed El Shamy to run through on goal. He rounded Abou El Saud before finishing into an unguarded net to restore Al Masry’s lead and secure the three points.

Al Masry held on to claim their first win against Al Mokawloon Al Arab since 2024 and maintain their perfect start to the league season.