Riyad Mahrez as soon as once more proved decisive on the continental stage as Algeria booked their place within the Spherical of 16 on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Burkina Faso.
Either side got here into their second Group E fixture realizing {that a} win can be sufficient to seal qualification, and the strain was evident from the opening exchanges on the Moulay Hassan Stadium.
Algeria loved extra of the ball, however Burkina Faso’s compact form ensured clear probabilities had been at a premium in a cagey first half.
The breakthrough arrived within the twenty first minute when Rayan Aït-Nouri’s surging run into the penalty space was halted by Ismahila Ouédraogo.
After transient protests, the referee pointed to the spot, and Mahrez confirmed trademark composure to roll the ball previous Hervé Koffi. The aim, Mahrez’s ninth at AFCON finals, in the end proved decisive.
Burkina Faso got here near a direct response earlier than the interval. Pierre Landry Kaboré’s highly effective header struck the publish after a slight deflection, whereas Algeria nearly doubled their lead moments later when Mohamed Amoura was denied by a pointy save from Koffi following a Mahrez-led counterattack.
The second half adopted the same sample, with Algeria probing patiently and Burkina Faso wanting harmful in transition.
Georgi Minoungou fired narrowly vast from distance, whereas Ibrahim Maza and Hicham Boudaoui each went shut for the Desert Foxes as they looked for a cushion.
The Stallions mounted a late surge, and Lassina Traoré’s header compelled Luca Zidane into an important save within the dying minutes, however Algeria’s defence held agency to safe back-to-back group victories.
The win not solely confirms Algeria’s passage to the knockout rounds but in addition continues their intently balanced AFCON rivalry with Burkina Faso, now stage throughout 4 group-stage conferences on the finals.
Algeria will spherical off their group marketing campaign in opposition to Equatorial Guinea, whereas Burkina Faso face a must-win conflict with Sudan as they appear to maintain their match hopes alive.
