Algeria Dominate Equatorial Guinea 3-1, Secure Top Spot in CAN Group E
Algeria secured their third consecutive win in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) group stage, defeating Equatorial Guinea 3-1 in Rabat on Wednesday, December 31st. The victory guarantees the Fennecs first place in Group E and sets up a round of 16 clash with the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, January 6th.
A First-Half Blitz Sets the Tone
The match unfolded largely as expected, with Algeria taking control from the opening whistle. Despite a reshuffled starting eleven, the Fennecs quickly found their rhythm, scoring three goals within the first half-hour. Zineddine Belaïd opened the scoring in the 19th minute, heading home a corner kick to give Algeria the lead. Shortly after, Farès Chaïbi doubled the advantage in the 25th minute with a stunning individual effort, described as “an exceptional goal” by commentators. Ibrahim Maza then extended Algeria’s lead to 3-0 in the 32nd minute, finishing a well-placed pass with a precise shot.
Equatorial Guinea Respond, But Algeria Remain in Control
Equatorial Guinea, already eliminated from the competition, managed to pull one back through Emilio Nsue in the 50th minute. Nsue’s “sumptuous strike” on the counter-attack beat Algerian goalkeeper Anthony Mandrea, ending the Fennecs’ streak of clean sheets. However, the goal proved to be a mere consolation as Algeria continued to dictate the pace of the game.
Second-Half Substitutions and Continued Pressure
The second half saw changes for both sides, with Algeria bringing on Youcef Atal and Mehdi Dorval, while Equatorial Guinea introduced Machin and Salvador. Despite the substitutions, Algeria continued to create opportunities. A free kick from Farès Chaïbi in added time was well-saved by Equatorial Guinea’s goalkeeper, Owono, who was described as “still decisive.” Earlier in the half, Owono also denied Monsef Bakrar from close range, showcasing his resilience.
Discipline and Fan Support
The match also saw a yellow card issued to Salvador of Equatorial Guinea in the 54th minute for a foul on Hadj Moussa. The Prince Moulay El Hassan stadium was overwhelmingly filled with Algerian supporters, creating a vibrant atmosphere and vocally backing their team throughout the match. “Unsurprisingly, the Prince Moulay El Hassan stadium is largely filled with Greens supporters,” one report noted.
Looking Ahead
With a dominant performance, Algeria enters the knockout stage with confidence. Their upcoming match against the Democratic Republic of Congo promises to be a challenging encounter, but the Fennecs have demonstrated their quality and are well-positioned to make a deep run in the tournament. The team will aim to build on this momentum as they pursue continental glory.
