Gelson Dala scored twice as Angola beat Mauritania to close in on the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Forward Dala reacted smartly to the rebound from a corner to put his side ahead, firing a shot against the turf and into the roof of the net.
Sidi Amar levelled for the Lions of Chinguetti with a dazzling run and finish two minutes before half-time.
Both Dala and Gilberto struck to make it 3-1 before Aboubakary Koita’s spectacular consolation for Mauritania.
The result means Angola are guaranteed to advance with a point against Burkina Faso, who also have four points and drew 2-2 with Algeria earlier on Saturday, when the leaders meet in their final group-stage game on Tuesday (20:00 GMT).
They will also be certain to go through if they lose and The Greens do not beat Mauritania in their decider.
Dala double decorates unexpected thriller
Few would have anticipated five goals and entertainment aplenty between these sides, with Mauritania failing to score in their preceding six matches across three editions of the Afcon finals and Angola netting only seven times in 10 group-stage matches since the 2010 tournament.
The one shot on target in their goalless previous meeting, at the 2019 Afcon finals, is the lowest tally in that respect in any match at the last three tournaments – but this encounter quickly dispelled any fears of a drab contest.
After the sides went close with early chances, both goalkeepers were called into urgent action for the first time when Mabululu’s low effort for Angola was pushed behind by Babacar Niasse and Pape Ibnou Ba almost fired Mauritania in front, Neblu making an alert save.
Dala’s opener gave his side the lead for 13 minutes, Amar slaloming through defenders on his way inside the penalty area to slam in an emphatic reply.
Gilberto should have restored Angola’s lead in first-half added time when Niasse’s parry from Dala’s attempt fell kindly for the midfielder, but he was left with a look of disbelief on his face after blazing over the crossbar.
The Palancas Negras had gone nine Afcon games without a win stretching back to 2012, but Dala and Gilberto soon put them on course to change that with two goals in four minutes after the break.
Dala ended a fine run by steering the ball in neatly and his teammate added the finishing touch to a spell of Angola trickery inside the box, cutting inside to arrow in their third via Lamine Ba’s attempted block.
Mauritania remain winless in all eight Afcon games they have played but the 105th-placed team in the world can savour what will be one of the most eye-catching goals at the tournament courtesy of Koita’s glorious thunderbolt from outside the penalty area.
Their chances of progressing depend on victory against Algeria. Having lost 1-0 to Burkina Faso in their opener, they must then hope to finish as one of the four best third-placed teams in Ivory Coast – as must any of their rivals if they end the group campaign in third spot.
Line-ups
Mauritania
Formation 4-3-3
16 to Nia
20Keita13El Abd5Ba3Abeid
4 Gassama 6 Fofana 8 Bodda
23Amar25Bâ19Koïta
16Niasse20KeitaBooked at 24mins13El Abd5Ba3AbeidSubstituted forDiawat 45’minutes4GassamaBooked at 85mins6FofanaSubstituted forKamaraat 59’minutes8Bodda23AmarSubstituted forTanjyat 81’minutes25BâSubstituted forDoukaraat 59’minutes19KoïtaSubstitutes1Diaw2Diaw9Tanjy10Thiam11Anne12Camara14Dellahi15Doukara21Houbeib24N’Diaye26Ngom27Kamara
Angola
Formation 4-2-3-1
22Cipriano da Cruz
21Melo Afonso6Gaspar3Buatu Mananga2Domingos Matias Fortuna
16Kulembe Gomes Ribeiro23da Silva Cafumana
7Vieira9Cabaça Salvador10Muondo Dala
19Patience
22 Cipriano da Cruz laSubstituted forTualungo Paulo Lameirasat 86’minutes19PaciênciaSubstitutes1Signori Dominique4Keliano5Cunga Balanga8Mukendi11Mendes João Milson12Manuel Monteiro13de Jesus Corte Real Carneiro15Sebastião Luvumbo17Lourenço Pinto de Almeida Paz18Bela20Tualungo Paulo Lameiras
Referee:Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour
Live Text
Match ends, Mauritania 2, Angola 3.
Second Half ends, Mauritania 2, Angola 3.
Núrio Fortuna (Angola) is shown the yellow card.
Aboubakary Koïta (Mauritania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Estrela (Angola).
Corner, Angola. Conceded by Nouh El Abd.
Nouh El Abd (Mauritania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Mabululu (Angola).
Ibrahima Keita (Mauritania) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Estrela (Angola).
Corner, Mauritania. Conceded by Eddie.
Corner, Angola. Conceded by Khadim Diaw.
Substitution, Angola. Kinito replaces Fredy.
Substitution, Angola. Star replaces Gelson Dala.
Omaré Gassama (Mauritania) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Omaré Gassama (Mauritania).
Fredy (Angola) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Aboubakary Koïta (Mauritania) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Aboubakar Kamara.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution, Mauritania. Hemeya Tanjy replaces Sidi Amar because of an injury.