Zamalek began their Egypt Capital Cup campaign with a heavy 3-0 defeat to ZED on Wednesday at the Arab Contractors Stadium in the opening round of the group stage.

ZED decided the match with three goals in just 15 minutes.

Marwan Heggeg opened the scoring in the 40th minute before Ahmed Atef struck twice in the 53rd and 55th minutes to secure his side's first three points of the competition.

ZED Lead Before Half-Time

The match started cautiously, with both teams struggling to create clear chances in the opening minutes.

ZED gradually became more dangerous and began reaching Zamalek's penalty area more often.

In the 12th minute, Abdelrahman El-Banouby tried his luck with a shot from outside the box, but the ball went over the crossbar.

Zamalek responded in the 18th minute when Ahmed Safwat moved into the penalty area and sent a dangerous cross, but ZED managed to clear the danger.

The two teams continued to exchange attacks before Zamalek goalkeeper Mahmoud El-Shenawy produced an important save in the 38th minute to deny Ahmed Atef in a one-on-one situation.

ZED, however, found the breakthrough two minutes later.

Marwan Heggeg received the ball inside the penalty area in the 40th minute and fired a powerful finish into the top of the net to give his team the lead.

Zamalek tried to respond before the break, but ZED protected their advantage and went into half-time 1-0 ahead.

Atef Seals It With Two Goals

Zamalek started the second half looking for an early equaliser, but ZED continued to create the better chances.

El-Shenawy again denied Ahmed Atef in the 49th minute, but the ZED striker did not have to wait much longer to score.

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Atef doubled the lead in the 53rd minute after meeting a low cross inside the penalty area and directing the ball into the net.

Only two minutes later, Atef scored again.

He ran onto a pass that sent him through on goal before finishing past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 and effectively put the match beyond Zamalek.

ZED nearly added a fourth goal in the 67th minute, but El-Shenawy produced another good save to stop Raafat Khalil's header.

Zamalek's coaching staff made several substitutions in an attempt to change the match, introducing Yassin Moussa, Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Abdel-Wanis and Mahmoud Gehad, with Moaz Mohamed also coming on later.

Ahmed Hossam came close to reducing the deficit in the 77th minute with a shot from inside the box, but his effort hit a ZED defender and went out for a corner.

Zamalek continued to push forward during the closing minutes, while ZED also looked for a fourth goal, but the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.

The result leaves Zamalek without a point after their opening group-stage match, while ZED collected their first three points of the tournament.

Zamalek and ZED are competing in Group One alongside Wadi Degla, Tala'ea El Gaish and Al Ittihad Alexandria.

Zamalek started with Mahmoud El-Shenawy in goal, behind Ezzat Mohamed, Ahmed Hossam, Khaled El-Sayed and Mohamed Farag.

El-Sayed Osama, Ziad Medhat, Ahmed Safwat, Hossam Ashour El-Taqi and Seif Gaafar formed the midfield, with Adham Hassib leading the attack.

ZED started Mohamed Sayed Mezika in goal, with Mohamed Rabiea, Abdallah Bakri, Moussa Mohamed and Sameh Ibrahim in defence.

Hamdy Alaa, Mahmoud Oka and Abdelrahman El-Banouby played in midfield, while Mostafa Saad Messi, Ahmed Atef and Marwan Heggeg formed the attacking line.