Senegal 0-1 Algeria
A second half strike by Youcef Belaili was enough to give Algeria a 1-0 victory over Senegal at the Air Defence Stadium to send them top of Group C.
Africa Cup of Nations Senegal vs Algeria was pretty much the Group C decider and the Desert Foxes edged a scrappy affair, but they won’t mind that one bit. Both these teams could present a challenge to hosts and favourites Egypt, and after this result the SBOBET odds on Algeria might just drop a little.
But the Lions of Terenga didn’t roar until the final few minutes, and that was simply too late.
Highlights of the game
Senegal was first out of the traps and Alfred N’Diaye had a shot from outside the area blocked on just five minutes. But the bright start was rather deceptive as the half degenerated into a stop start affair, littered by fouls and with precious few chances.
Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez tried to get things going for Algeria and he threaded a pass to Baghdad Bounedjah, seeking his second goal of the tournament, but his shot was blocked. And then the Senegal keeper, Edouard Mendy, was called into action getting down well to save a nicely struck shot by Youcef Belaili which was heading for the bottom corner.
Sadio Mane has been itching to get in on the action, having missed Senegal’s opener through suspension, and he had his chance mid way through the first half when Djamel Benlamri was penalised fore a nasty challenge on Badou Ndiaye. Mane lined up the free-kick but didn’t get over it and the ball flew over the bar.
Inter Milan striker Keita tried his luck for Senegal from distance but his shot was also charged down as the defences continued to dominate. Then, just before the break Mahrez and Bounedjah combined again when the City man sent in a wicked delivery from another set piece situation, but Bounedjah directed his header from very close range wide of the post.
That was the best opening of the half as the teams went in at 0-0 and the fans hoped for better in the second 45.
Well they got it! And they didn’t have to wait too long. Three minutes into the second half Bounedjah passed to Sofiane Feghouli and he fired one inches to the left of Mendy’s post. A minute later Feghouli turned provider, putting in Belaili and he made no mistake, firing low into the corner to put Algeria 1-0 ahead.
The Desert Foxes had struck first blood.
Senegal had a chance to hit back on 55 minutes when Keita swung in another free-kick which was met by Kalidou Koulibaly, but the big Napoli centre back’s header flew wide.
The game became a little scrappy again though Mahrez was a constant threat and he almost put Algeria 2-0 up on 71 minutes but his shot whistled just wide of the post.
Senegal rang the changes replacing the two scorers against Tanzania, Keita and Krepin Diatta and that prompted a late flurry from the Lions of Terenga. Youssouf Sabaly had a shot blocked and a second effort saved, and Mbaye Diagne came close with a header.
M’Baye Niang took a pass from Mane but his shot was saved and Diagne had another shot blocked. And deep into injury time Mane had a chance with a header but missed the target and that was that.
Key statistics
At 22nd in the FIFA World Rankings, Senegal is fully 46 places above Algeria but in a pretty turgid first half they only managed three shots each, Algeria mustering the only one on target.
It was a scrappy first 45 minutes with both teams registering a passing accuracy of 78 per cent (at least 80 per cent is the norm) and there was a huge 26 fouls, 15 by Algeria and both teams picked up two yellow cards.
After Algeria scored Senegal tried to hit back, eventually winning the shot count by ten to eight but both teams ended up with just two on target.
The pre-match Senegal vs Algeria betting odds had Algeria at 3.25 and that turned out to be very good value. And the Senegal vs Algeria results are still in favour of Djamel Belmadi’s team; Algeria has won 13 of the 22 meetings with five drawn and four wins for Senegal.
What’s next?
Kenya meets Tanzania later tonight as they both try to get their first point on the board; and then the final round of Group C is completed when Senegal plays Kenya next Monday night while Algeria meets Tanzania.
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