Mauritania Shocks Algeria to Secure Historic Victory in Group D

From our special correspondent in Bouake – Mauritania has finally secured its first ever victory at the CAN, with a historic win against Algeria, eliminating the Fennecs from the competition. Two years after their exit from the Cameroon CAN, Djamel Belmadi and his team once again find themselves leaving early.

nn

The match began with Algeria holding the advantage: with a simple draw, they would qualify for the round of 16, while a defeat would send them home. However, the game did not go as planned and it was their opponents who secured a last-minute qualification.

nn

To approach this decisive match, Djamel Belmadi made the choice to bench Mahrez and Belaïli, who were heavily criticized for their performances in the first two matches.

nn

Eleven men chosen by Djamel Belmadi naturally took control of the game against Mauritania, who were still searching for their first ever victory at the CAN. Ounas attempted a free-kick (15th, 18th). After a good combination between Boudaoui and Ounas, the winger crossed the ball back. Aouar made a timely interception and took a shot with the inside of his foot. The ball scraped past Mauritania’s post (25th). However, their dominance remained fruitless. Mauritania played compact and countered effectively. This tactic eventually paid off and they scored the only goal of the match. Mandrea deflected the ball outside the penalty area from a corner, it came back into the danger zone and Dellahi finished the job (37th, 1-0). The historic victory for Mauritania also meant qualifying for the next round.

nn

The Fennecs had to react and Mahrez came on as a substitute for Aouar. But it was the Mauritians who shone. They managed two consecutive corner kicks, and on the second one, Mandrea had to make a save to keep his team in the game (53rd). Algeria tried to respond, relying on set-pieces. Mahrez’s delivery found Hicham Boudaoui’s head, but Niasse Mbaye made another save (60th).

nn

At the hour mark, Algeria finally stepped up their game. After a brave sortie from Niasse Mbaye, Keita made a goal-line clearance to deny Belaïli (66th). Mandi was found at the back post from a set-piece, but Niasse Mbaye made a reflex save from close range (70th). Lacking sharpness, the Algerians failed to break through, and it was Ba who came close to doubling Mauritania’s lead, hitting the crossbar (83rd).

nn

The referee added eleven long minutes of stoppage time, but it seemed that the match could have lasted 111 minutes longer and it wouldn’t have made a difference. Mauritania won the match and secured their place in the round of 16. Two years after Cameroon, Algeria once again exited the CAN early. They have still not won a match since their 2019 triumph in the continental competition. This is certainly the end of a cycle for the Fennecs.

nn

As for Amir Abdou, the Mauritania coach, he can now be considered a miracle worker. After leading Comoros to a historic round of 16 in their maiden appearance, he has repeated the feat with the Mauritanians, all while playing an exciting brand of football throughout Group D.