A stunning 90th-minute goal from winger Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed clinched a thrilling 2-1 win for Zamalek over Ceramica Cleopatra at Cairo International Stadium on Friday, earning the Cairo giants a place in the Egypt Cup final against Pyramids FC.
Midfielder Abdallah El-Said broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute, calmly converting a penalty. However, Ceramica Cleopatra fought back, with Ayman Moka leveling the score in the 58th minute. Just when it seemed the match might head to extra time, Zizo stepped up, smashing home a sensational late winner.
Zamalek had secured their semifinal spot with a 4-2 victory over Smouha on March 15, while Ceramica Cleopatra edged past Gouna 3-1. Friday’s clash was a tense affair, with both teams trading attacks but struggling to create early openings.
The game’s first twist came in the 28th minute when referee Saíd Martínez awarded Zamalek a penalty after a VAR check confirmed Mohamed Toni’s foul on El-Said. The 39-year-old midfielder dispatched the spot-kick with a precise right-footed shot.
El-Said had a chance to extend the lead after halftime when Toni’s handball gifted Zamalek another penalty, but his effort sailed wide. Ceramica Cleopatra capitalized on the miss, equalizing through Moka’s sharp finish off Islam Eissa’s cross.
With the final minutes ticking, Zizo turned the game around, cutting in from the left and rifling a fierce shot into the bottom-left corner, sending the Zamalek supporters into wild jubilations.
