Zamalek players celebrate after Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh scored the opening goal against Masry in the 6th matchday of the Egyptian Premier League on Saturday. Photo: Zamalek's official X account.
Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh opened the scoring for Zamalek in the 30th minute, capitalizing on a deflected block by Mohamed Makhlouf to fire home from the goal line.
Omar Gaber doubled the lead in the 64th minute with a composed finish after a well-timed assist from Brazilian midfielder Juan Alvina and veteran playmaker Abdallah El-Said put the game beyond doubt with a calm finish from the penalty spot in stoppage time after Masry were reduced to 10 men.
Defender Mohamed Hashem was shown a second yellow card for fouling Amr Nassr inside the area.
The win lifts Zamalek to 13 points, two ahead of second-placed Masry.
Masry had an early opportunity to take the lead in the fifth minute, but Mounder Temine’s cross from inside the box narrowly missed Abderrahim Deghmoum.
Salah Mohsen broke clear in the area, rounded the keeper but was dispossessed in the box to miss another golden opportunity.
Zamalek responded through Alvina, who dribbled into the box and delivered a dangerous cross that was intercepted by Masry defender Karim Eraki.
At the half-hour mark, Nasser Maher was sent clear in the box to play a back pass that was poorly deflected by Makhlouf only to fall into the pass of Dabbagh to break the deadlock.
Dabbagh nearly added a second later in the half after controlling well inside the area, but his effort was denied by goalkeeper Essam Tharwat.
Zamalek went into the break 1-0 up and continued to dominate in the second half, despite both sides missing chances.
Belgian coach Yannick Ferrera made several substitutions to maintain pressure, introducing Amr Nassr, Abdel Hamid Maali, Ahmed Hamdi, Ahmed Sherif and Ahmed Fatouh.
Masry's Tunisian coach Nabil Kouki brought on Bonheur Mugisha, Hussein Faisal and Omar El-Saaiy in an attempt to shift the momentum, but the changes failed to spark a comeback.
Zamalek, who have now won four of their opening six matches, drawing one and losing another, will face Ismaily in the 7th matchday on Thursday.
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