WA Mostaganem 0-0 ES Mostaganem: Derby ends in tense stalemate

WA Mostaganem and ES Mostaganem played out a fiercely contested 0-0 draw in Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2 on October 24, 2026. The Mostaganem derby produced no goals but plenty of drama, with both goalkeepers excelling and a late red card adding to the tension at the Stade Omar Oucief.

The point keeps both sides within reach of their seasonal objectives, but neither will feel entirely satisfied after a match that offered enough chances to produce a winner.

Match overview

WA Mostaganem started brightly in front of a vocal home crowd, pressing high and forcing ES Mostaganem into early errors. The hosts used a 4-3-3 shape, with their wingers hugging the touchline to stretch the opposition back four. ES Mostaganem responded with a compact 4-2-3-1, looking to strike on the break through quick transitions.

The first half was balanced but fractured by fouls and stoppages. Both teams struggled to build sustained rhythm, and the derby atmosphere seemed to make the players rush their final passes.

Key moments

• 22 minutes: WA Mostaganem’s best move of the half ended with a low shot from the edge of the box, but ES goalkeeper Riad Saïdi saved comfortably.
• 38 minutes: ES Mostaganem thought they had taken the lead from a header, but the goal was ruled out for a push in the build-up.
• 63 minutes: WA Mostaganem were awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge, but Saïdi guessed correctly and saved the spot-kick.
• 78 minutes: A second yellow card reduced ES Mostaganem to ten men, forcing the visitors into a deep defensive block.
• 90+2 minutes: WA Mostaganem threw everyone forward for a final corner, but the header sailed over the bar.

Tactical story

The derby was a chess match between WA Mostaganem’s possession and ES Mostaganem’s counter-attacking discipline. The home side controlled the ball for long periods but struggled to break through a well-organised defensive unit. ES Mostaganem’s midfield protected the back four effectively, limiting clear sight of goal.

After the sending-off, ES Mostaganem abandoned any attacking ambition and focused on survival. WA Mostaganem pushed their full-backs higher and loaded the box with crosses, but the visitors’ centre-backs stood firm. The penalty save proved the defining moment of the match.

Standout players

Saïdi was the hero for ES Mostaganem with a penalty save and several confident claims. Centre-back Yacine Belkacem also produced a resolute performance. For WA Mostaganem, midfielder Nabil Hamdi was the most creative outlet, while goalkeeper Karim Zaidi made two important stops to preserve his clean sheet.

What the result means

The draw leaves both Mostaganem clubs still searching for consistency in the Ligue Professionnelle 2 table. WA Mostaganem will rue the missed penalty, while ES Mostaganem can take heart from a disciplined defensive display away from home. In a derby where defeat would have hurt badly, a share of the points felt like a cautious relief for both camps.