CAIRO – Pyramids FC returned to the top of the Egyptian Premier League with a dramatic last-minute victory over Smouha, while Zamalek and Haras el-Hodood continued their winning streaks in the 12th round of the 2024-2025 season.
At Borg el-Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Pyramids FC secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Smouha in a match filled with late drama.
Both teams came close to scoring, with Pyramids hitting the crossbar and Smouha denied by the post in the dying minutes.
The decisive moment came in the 90+8th minute when defender Ali Gabr capitalized on a rebound inside the penalty area, slotting the ball into an empty net. Initially ruled offside, the goal was awarded after a VAR review confirmed its validity.
With this win, Pyramids FC climbed to the top of the league standings with 27 points from 12 matches, holding a narrow one-point lead over second-placed Al-Ahly (26 points). Smouha remained in 11th place with 14 points.
At Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, Zamalek secured a 2-0 win over Ismaili, moving up to third place with 23 points from 12 matches. Ismaili remained in 14th place with 12 points.
Winger Mostafa Shalaby opened the scoring in the 17th minute, finishing a precise cross from Mohamed el-Sayed.
Despite being reduced to 10 men after playmaker Nasser Maher received a red card in the 85th minute, Zamalek doubled their lead in stoppage time. Midfielder Nabil Emad ‘Donga’ sealed the win with a powerful long-range strike in the 90+7th minute.
At Cairo’s Sports Authority Stadium, Talaa el-Geish and El-Gouna settled for a goalless draw.
The result saw Talaa el-Geish move up to 10th place with 16 points, while El-Gouna remained in 17th with seven points.
At El-Max Stadium in Alexandria, Haras el-Hodood continued their impressive run with a 1-0 victory over Enppi.
The match’s only goal came in the 86th minute when midfielder Mohamed Ashraf converted a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a handball by an Enppi defender.
Haras el-Hodood has now won four of their last five league matches, climbing to sixth place with 18 points from 12 games. Enppi, meanwhile, stayed in 16th place with seven points.
Ghazl El-Mahalla secured a determined 2-1 win over Modern Sport in their encounter.
Amr el-Gazzar put Ghazl el-Mahalla ahead in the 11th minute, but Modern Sport responded in the 40th minute with Mohamed Hilal converting from the penalty spot.
The decisive moment came in the 83rd minute when Mohamed Ali Ben Hamoud struck the winning goal, sealing all three points for his side.
With this result, Ghazl el-Mahalla climbed to 15th place in the standings with 11 points from 12 matches, recording three wins, two draws, and seven losses. Meanwhile, Modern Sport stayed in 18th place with seven points, having secured one win, four draws, and seven defeats.
At Arab Contractors Stadium, Pharco FC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ceramica Cleopatra.
Forward Amr Nasser put Pharco ahead in the 23rd minute, but their lead was short-lived as central midfielder Islam Eissa equalized for Ceramica Cleopatra just five minutes later.
The decisive goal came early in the second half when midfielder Mohamed Fakhry found the net in the 52nd minute, sealing the win for the Alexandria-based side.
With this result, Pharco FC moved up to seventh place with 18 points, while Ceramica Cleopatra slipped to fifth with 19 points.
