Mauritania send Algeria home with first-ever AFCON win

Algeria crashed out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after being stunned in a 1-0 defeat to Mauritania.

Djamel Belmadi's side started this tournament in a lethargic fashion, drawing both of their opening two games against Burkina Faso and Angola.

The Fennec Foxes' poor form continued against Mauritania in Bouaké. Despite the Algerians having plenty of the ball they struggled to break down a stern defence.

The only goal of the game came in the 37th minute. A Mauritania corner was cleared by Algeria with the ball being fired back into the box where midfielder Mohamed Dellahi was in the right place to fire an effort past Anthony Mandréa.

Belmadi had chosen to bench Riyad Mahrez with the former Manchester City man looking like a shadow of his former self during the tournament. Mahrez came on for the second half but Algeria still couldn't find a way through.

In fact, it could have been 2-0 had substitute Pape Ibnou Ba was free at the back post but saw his effort cannon back off the crossbar.

That result was Mauritania's first-ever win at an Africa Cup of Nations and it was enough to see them through to the qualifying round as one of the ranked third-placed teams setting up a clash with Cape Verde.

Elsewhere in Group D, Angola topped the group after a 2-0 win against Burkina Faso with goals from Mabululu and Zini.

⌚️ FULL-TIME!

Mauritania do just enough to protect their first half lead as they win all 3 points against Algeria. 🇲🇷#MTNALG | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/xDu6gXq8Vv

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 23, 2024