In a historic upset, Mauritania secured a remarkable victory, eliminating reigning champions Algeria from the Africa Cup of Nations in a 1-0 triumph that marks a significant milestone for the underdog team.
In a stunning upset at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, Mauritania secured a historic 1-0 victory over defending champions Algeria, eliminating them from the tournament. This unexpected result marked Mauritania’s first-ever win in the continental finals, as Yali Dellahi found the net in the 37th minute after a defensive lapse by Algeria.
With this triumph, Mauritania secured a spot in the round of 16, a significant achievement for a team that had never led in their previous eight matches at the Africa Cup of Nations. The defeat for Algeria, who won the trophy in 2019, resulted in their second consecutive early exit under coach Djamel Belmadi, following a similar disappointment in 2021.
Group D standings saw Angola claim the top spot with seven points, followed by Burkina Faso with four points, defeating them 2-0. Mauritania, accumulating three points, will advance as one of the four best third-placed teams. Algeria finished at the bottom with two points, reflecting a stark decline from their triumphant 2019 campaign.
Algeria’s woes were evident as they benched captain Riyad Mahrez, attempting to turn the tide by bringing him on at halftime. Despite desperate efforts to equalize, Mauritania’s goalkeeper, Babacar Niasse, made crucial saves, securing the historic win. As Algeria pressed forward, Mauritania had opportunities to extend their lead, with Pape Ibnou Ba missing a late chance.
The victory for Mauritania adds an unexpected twist to the Africa Cup of Nations, showcasing the unpredictable nature of football on the continental stage.
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