Ahmed "Zizo" El-Sayed converted a penalty kick deep in injury time to give Zamalek a 3-2 victory on Monday in Alexandria Stadium in what might be the most entertaining game of the season. Mohamed Abdel-Ghani and Achraf Bencharki on 29 and 60 minutes scored for the Whites while Eze Emeka, 2, and Austin Amutu, 69 hit back for Masry until Zizo grabbed the winner in the 90+8 minute. Zamalek have now opened a 13-point lead at the top ahead of Ahly who have 41 points but has plated five games less. Masry remain third with 39 points after 24 games. 3 penalties saved It was a thrilling 90 minutes with goals, chances, penalties and red cards. Masry were off to a stunning start as Emeke Eze opened the scoring in the second minute after receiving a cross, unmarked in the area, to put the visitors ahead. Masry could have extended their lead in the first 10 minutes. Congolese striker Kazadi Kasengu had a close range effort but it went over the bar and then he failed to control a long pass behind the defence to miss a close chance. After that stunning start, Zamalek regained their composure and were back on the front foot. Moroccan winger Bencharki should have leveled the score when he rose to meet a precise cross from Tunisian forward Seifeddine Jaziri but he missed that target with the goal at his mercy. Defender Abdel-Ghani scored a well-deserved equalizer as he picked a rebound from keeper Ahmed Daadour to send it back in the back of the net. The Whites kept their pressure and Bencharki, Zizo and Eslam Gaber were guilty of squandering some neat chances. Zamalek keeper Mohamed Awad turned out to be the hero of the first half hero as he pulled a rare feat of saving two consecutive penalties from Hassan Ali and Saidou Simpore on minutes 35 and 44. Masry's inspirational winger Ahmed Refaat received his marching orders after a reckless challenge on Hamza Al-Mathlouthi in the 45th minute and it could only become worse for Ali Maher's men as Zamalek were given a penalty following a foul on Jaziri in the box. However Daadour made an easy save to deny an out-of-form Bencharki from the spot just before the break. In the second half, the Whites attacked en masse against their opponents who sat back on defence. After missing a close range volley, Bencharki finally delivered his magic with sublime free kick from the edge of the area to put his team ahead in the 60th minute. Zamalek versatile midfielder Tarek Hamed received a direct red card after throwing his elbow into the face of Abdellatif Grindo. Substitute striker Austin Amutu grabbed made it 2-2 as he scored a sensational goal-of-the season contender. The Nigerian forward met Karim El-Eraky's cross with a jaw-dropping bicycle kick in the 69th minute. French coach Patrice Carteron made several changes bringing in veteran winger Mahmoud "Shikabala" Abdel-Razek, Hazem Emam and youngster Ossama Faisal to pile more pressure but Masry defender remained tight and made two goal-line clearance. But there was still room for a late VAR drama as referee Mohamed El Bana whistled a penalty following a handball on Masr defender Ahmed Shousha. Zizo made no mistakes from the spot followed by the final whistle. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
