The Egyptian Cup witnessed a major upset, as Ceramica Cleopatra managed to eliminate the defending champion, Zamalek, and deservedly qualified for the quarter-finals after defeating them 2-1 in the marathon match that took place on Tuesday evening at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium.
First half highlights: Defensive errors and early excitement
The match began cautiously from both sides, but Ceramica Cleopatra managed to impose their control early on, exploiting the confusion in Zamalek's back line. In the 18th minute, Ceramica opened the scoring with an unexpected gift, as Zamalek defender Hossam Abdel-Maguid scored an own goal, putting early pressure on the White Knights.
Zamalek tried to come back and rectify the situation before the end of the first half, and indeed Mohamed Ismail succeeded in equalizing, taking advantage of a terrible mistake by goalkeeper Mohamed Bassam, who failed to deal with the ball, to bring the match back to square one before entering the dressing rooms.
Belhadj's strike decides qualification and eliminates the champion
As the second half began, the pace of the match increased, with both teams striving to snatch a winning goal and avoid extra time. In the 70th minute, the decisive moment arrived, courtesy of Moroccan star Ahmed Belhadj, who unleashed a perfectly placed rocket of a shot from outside the penalty area, finding the back of his former team's net and giving Ceramica Cleopatra the lead, thus dethroning Zamalek.
Ceramica continues its domestic dominance this season
This victory is no fluke; it's the culmination of an exceptional season for Ceramica Cleopatra under their current coaching staff. The team isn't just shining in the cup; they're also dominating the Egyptian Premier League, sitting comfortably atop the table with 35 points.
Ceramica is four points ahead of its closest pursuer, Zamalek, which is in second place, confirming that the team is going through its best period technically and physically, and has become a difficult number in the Egyptian football equation this season, threatening the giants of Egyptian football and seeking to win local titles.
The repercussions of the exit and its impact on Zamalek
Zamalek's elimination from the Egyptian Cup Round of 16 is a painful blow for the White Knights' fans, especially as the team had high hopes of retaining the most prestigious title in Egyptian football history. This exit could cast a shadow over the team's stability and intensify the competition in the league, where Zamalek will have to fight to close the gap with league leaders Ceramica if they want to salvage their season with the league title.
