WA Tlemcen vs JSM Tiaret: Late Winner Secures 2-1 Ligue 2 Victory

WA Tlemcen claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over JSM Tiaret in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2 on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Stade Akid Lotfi. In a night match that kicked off at 23:00 local time, the home side produced the decisive moment late in the second half to take all three points and strengthen their position in the early-season promotion race.

Sofiane Belkhir gave WA Tlemcen the lead in the first half, Riad Bouziane equalised for JSM Tiaret shortly after the restart, and Mohamed Amine Cherif struck the winner in the 78th minute. The result gives WA Tlemcen a valuable home victory in the Ligue 2 campaign, while JSM Tiaret leave Tlemcen frustrated after matching their hosts for long spells without finding a second goal.

Match Overview

• Competition: Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2
• Match: WA Tlemcen vs JSM Tiaret
• Date and time: September 19, 2026, 23:00
• Venue: Stade Akid Lotfi, Tlemcen
• Final score: WA Tlemcen 2-1 JSM Tiaret
• Goals: Belkhir 18', Bouziane 54', Cherif 78'

First Half: Tlemcen Take Early Control

WA Tlemcen began the match with clear intent, pressing JSM Tiaret high and forcing the visitors into hurried clearances. The home side's midfield trio controlled the tempo in the opening quarter, winning second balls and feeding the wide players quickly. That early pressure paid off in the 18th minute when Belkhir latched onto a loose ball just inside the penalty area and drove a low finish past the Tiaret goalkeeper.

The goal settled WA Tlemcen, but it also woke JSM Tiaret up. The visitors responded with a more compact defensive shape and began to threaten on the counterattack. Their best chance of the first half came from a set piece, but a header flashed wide of the far post. WA Tlemcen nearly doubled the lead before the break when Cherif forced a strong save from the Tiaret goalkeeper after a quick exchange on the edge of the box.

By halftime, the scoreline reflected a match that was competitive but largely controlled by the hosts. WA Tlemcen led 1-0, and JSM Tiaret headed into the dressing room knowing they needed to be more aggressive in possession.

Tiaret Respond and Equalise

JSM Tiaret started the second half with far more urgency. They pushed their full-backs higher, won territory through the middle, and found space behind the WA Tlemcen defence. The equaliser arrived in the 54th minute when Bouziane timed his run perfectly to meet a cut-back from the right and swept the ball into the net. It was a well-worked goal and a deserved reward for Tiaret's improved intensity after the interval.

For a period after the equaliser, JSM Tiaret looked the more likely team to score next. WA Tlemcen dropped slightly deeper, and the visitors enjoyed their best spell of the match, circulating the ball with purpose and forcing a couple of corners. However, they could not find the final touch, and WA Tlemcen gradually regained their composure.

Late Drama and the Winning Goal

WA Tlemcen's response was measured rather than frantic. The home coach adjusted the midfield, asking the wide players to stay higher and stretch the Tiaret back line. That change created more space in the channels, and in the 78th minute the decisive moment arrived. A patient passing move ended with Cherif receiving the ball on the edge of the area; he took one touch to set himself and fired a precise shot beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2-1.

JSM Tiaret pushed forward in the closing stages in search of another equaliser. They sent extra bodies into the box and delivered several crosses, but WA Tlemcen defended with discipline. The home goalkeeper commanded his area well, and the back line blocked two late attempts to preserve the win. After a tense final stretch, the referee's whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory for WA Tlemcen.

Tactical Story: Wings, Pressing, and Patience

WA Tlemcen set up in a flexible 4-2-3-1, looking to press JSM Tiaret's first pass and then attack quickly through the flanks. Their opening goal came from exactly that pattern: winning the ball in an advanced position and attacking before Tiaret's defence could reorganise. The home side's midfield also did well to slow down Tiaret's counters in the first half.

JSM Tiaret used a 4-3-3 shape and grew into the game after switching to a more direct approach. Their equaliser came from a wide overload, and their best moments arrived when they moved the ball quickly into the final third. The main difference was in the decisive moments: WA Tlemcen converted two of their clearest chances, while Tiaret could not capitalise on their strongest period after halftime.

Standout Players