VAR drama as A Ahly are awarded late penalty v Smouha | VIDEO

Ahly’s winning run in the Egyptian league stopped on Wednesday when the Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by Smouha at El-Salam Stadium on Wednesday.

The defending champions claimed 16 consecutive wins this season and were close to equaling the club’s record in 2005 with 17 wins in a row, but they failed after dropping the first two points this season.

Maguette Diop opened the scoring in the 69th minute with a powerful shot, while Amr El-Soulya leveled the score after converting a penalty in injury time.

The game saw two red cards, the first for Ahly’s defender Rami Rabie, while his Smouha’s counterpart Mohamed Koffi received the second after a VAR review.

The first half was a dour affair with both sides failing to make a real threat.

https://youtu.be/hyRmNq_M38M

Smouha had only one chance in the 10th minute when keeper El-Shennawi blocked Hossam Hassan’s close-range shot.

Five minutes later, Ahly responded when Ahmed El-Seikh’s header went wide.

The second half was no different as Ahly tried to intensify their attacks but were easily contained by a defensive-minded Smouha.

Against the run of the game, midfielder Diop sent a powerful shot from outside the area to score for the Alexandria-based side.

Six minutes later, Ahly defender Rabie got his marching orders after touching the ball with his hand, preventing Smouha striker Hossam Hassan from going clear.

With 10 players, Ahly pulled on the attack and gained a penalty in injury time after a VAR review which confirmed that Smouha defender Mohamed Koffi touched the ball with his hand inside the area, and he was sent off with a second yellow card.

Midfielder Amr El-Soulaya converted the penalty, preventing his side from receiving their first defeat this season.

Ahly are at the top of the league table with 49 points, 16 points ahead of second-placed Arab Contractors.