Riyad Mahrez displayed his exceptional talent once again, scoring his third goal in two matches as Algeria triumphed over Burkina Faso with a narrow 1-0 victory in Rabat. This win secures Algeria’s place in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations. The former Manchester City winger demonstrated his poise by successfully converting a penalty in the first half, awarded due to a reckless challenge by Burkina Faso’s Ismahila Ouedraogo.
Despite Burkina Faso’s determined efforts to find an equalizer, they struggled to create substantial threats against Algeria’s well-organized defense. Herve Koffi, the goalkeeper for Burkina Faso, was instrumental in keeping his team in contention, making several critical saves throughout the match.
With this important victory, Algeria climbs to the top of Group E with six points, while Equatorial Guinea faces elimination from the tournament following Sudan’s earlier 1-0 win. Algeria’s performance not only showcases their strong potential but also rekindles the hopes of their fans for a possible title run, echoing their success in 2019. The team’s resilience and skill in navigating challenging matches could pave the way for a memorable tournament ahead.