Winner of Senegal in the final in 2019 (1-0), Algeria can no longer do it. Last in its group in 2022, it once again finished bottom following its defeat against Mauritania (0-1) on Tuesday evening. No success in three matches: we need not look further for the reasons for the absence of the Fennecs in the round of 16. Held in check by Angola (1-1) then Burkina Faso (2-2), Algeria therefore lost against Mauritania, which had never won a match in its history at the CAN.
It’s an incredible new story which has marked this very surprising CAN, with this success of the Mourabitounes. In the 37th minute, Dellahi scored the only goal of the match, after a scramble. Mohsen (59th), Kamara (82nd) and especially Bâ (85th, on the bar) missed the break point, without consequence. Third in its group, despite two defeats, Mauritania qualified for the round of 16 for the first time in its history.
Without Mahrez at kick-off, Djamel Belmadi’s men did anything. Ounas certainly came up against Mandrea, the Guingamp goalkeeper. The Lille player also served Aouar, who shot wide in the 25th. In the 69th minute, the Mauritania goalkeeper made the necessary save against Mandi. Eliminated, Algeria falls from a height but will perhaps not be the only one: Ivory Coast is on the brink of the abyss, awaiting the results of Namibia and Zambia.