Algeria Ligue 1: JS Saoura claim third with win over USM Alger

JS Saoura climbed to third place in Algeria’s Ligue 1 after securing a 2-1 victory over USM Alger at the July 5 Stadium on Matchday 20.

The visitors from Béchar struck twice in the first half through Oussama Bentaleb to take control in Algiers.

Ghacha reduced the deficit for the hosts shortly after the hour mark, but despite a late red card for Akacem, Saoura held on to claim all three points and move onto the podium.

The result dealt a setback to USM Alger, who were led for the first time at home by their new Senegalese coach Lamine N’Diaye following his arrival this week.

The defeat ended a run of more than a month without loss, coming soon after their Super Cup reverse against MC Alger.

Earlier in the day, Olympique Akbou had appeared poised to claim third spot after a dramatic 4-3 home win against Paradou AC.

Paradou raced into a 2-0 lead inside 12 minutes through Kohili and Soukkou, stunning the home crowd.

Akbou responded swiftly, with Benchérifa reducing the deficit in the 19th minute before a dominant second-half spell turned the contest around.

Goals from Bensaâdallah (62), Mahdaoui (66) and Labidi (71) completed the comeback.

Although Abdelkader pulled one back in the 87th minute to set up a tense finish, Akbou held firm to secure victory and rise to 29 points, while Paradou remained 14th on 17.

JS Kabylie also produced a resilient display, earning a 2-2 draw away to ES Mostaganem despite playing much of the match with a numerical disadvantage.

Belaïd and Sarr found the net for Kabylie, while Motrani scored twice for Mostaganem, whose tally moved to 14 points in 15th place.

Elsewhere, USM Khenchela claimed a 3-2 away win at ES Ben Aknoun thanks to goals from Boumechra, Franck Etouga and a late strike by Djaouchi.

Despite the loss, Ben Aknoun stayed fifth on 27 points with two games in hand.

CS Constantine consolidated second place with 35 points after a 2-0 win at ASO Chlef, capitalising on the leader MC Alger’s 2-1 defeat at MC Oran and CR Belouizdad being held 0-0 at home by MC El Bayadh.

With the title race tightening and the battle for podium places intensifying, Matchday 20 reshaped the Ligue 1 standings and set up a compelling run-in.

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