Amr Elsolia also scored for the home side, but Espérance had a lifeline through a penalty netted by Youcef Belaïli as his Algerian compatriot, referee Mehdi Abid Charef, took centre stage.

The visitors were handed the opportunity to halve the deficit when they were awarded a penalty when Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy raced off his line and crashed into on-rushing Espérance forward Belaïli.

Algerian Belaïli took the spot kick himself and drilled the ball low into the bottom corner.

Charef then awarded a third penalty with 15 minutes remaining, again consulting the VAR, after Azaro went down in the box in an off-the-ball incident.

Despite replays suggesting there was little in it, he upheld his decision and Soliman converted.

The second leg will be played next Friday at the Stade Olympique de Radès just outside Tunis as Al Ahly seek to extend their record of eight Champions League victories.