USM Alger have booked their place in the 2024–2025 Algerian Cup final after edging past USM El-Harrach 1–0 in a tense semi-final at the July 5, 1962 Stadium in Algiers.
Defender Zineddine Alilet proved both hero and villain for the Red and Blacks, converting a penalty in extra time before receiving a red card deep into stoppage time.
But by then, his side had done enough to seal a dramatic win in front of over 50,000 supporters.
In a match that came alive in flashes, it was a tense first half that saw few clear chances.
USMA had their first real opportunity in the 10th minute when a curling free kick nearly caught USMH goalkeeper Lamine Chaouchi off guard, but he recovered just in time to palm the ball away.
USMH responded with a powerful volley from Haddadou in the 21st minute that had Benbot beaten, but narrowly missed the target.
After the break, El-Harrach grew into the contest and troubled the USMA defence with energetic runs and high pressing.
Khaldi and his teammates found themselves repeatedly pinned back as the Harrachis searched for a breakthrough.
USMA goalkeeper Benbot had a nervy moment in injury time, misjudging a back pass, but was rescued by a crucial clearance from teammate Likonza.
With the score still goalless after 90 minutes, the match moved into extra time.
USMA finally broke the deadlock in the 105th minute when Alilet calmly dispatched a penalty following a handball in the area, sending the home fans into raptures.
But controversy soon followed. Just minutes later, El-Harrach believed they had earned a penalty of their own after substitute Bouderbala went down under pressure from Loucif.
Referee Dahar initially appeared unmoved, and after consulting VAR, ruled that Bouderbala was offside before the foul, sparing USMA from further punishment.
USMH pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but their efforts came to nothing.
Alilet, already on a yellow card, was dismissed in the 120+9th minute for a second booking following a late foul, but there was no time for El-Harrach to capitalise on the numerical advantage.
USM Alger will now meet CR Belouizdad in what promises to be a thrilling final, with both sides vying for Algerian football’s most coveted trophy.
