Algeria 3 Guinea 0: Mahrez strikes to seal quarter-final spot

Riyad Mahrez scored a fine goal as Algeria beat Guinea 3-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16.

Djamel Belmadi’s side, yet to concede a goal in the 2019 finals, made light work of their opponents in front of a sparse crowd in Cairo.

Youcef Belaili broke the deadlock 24 minutes in with a precise finish and Mahrez made the win safe in expert fashion before the hour mark, with Adam Ounas adding gloss to the scoreline following a swift counter-attack.

Algeria allowed only one shot on target throughout the match as they underlined their credentials as one of the favourites for the title, their chances having grown following the shock exits for Morocco and host nation Egypt.

Baghdad Bounedjah missed a golden chance to open the scoring 20 minutes in, side-footing over the bar after bringing down Adlene Guedioura’s cross just six yards from goal.

Bounedjah made amends four minutes later, though, collecting Belaili’s pass and flicking the return into his path, allowing the Esperance forward to slot past goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone.

Mohamed Camara stung the hands of Rais M’bolhi with a fierce strike, but Guinea’s resistance effectively ended 57 minutes in, when Mahrez expertly eased away from Issiaga Sylla before sending Kone the wrong way.

Substitute Ounas completed the scoring by blasting home from 12 yards out after Youcef Atal crossed low from the right, meaning Algeria will head into a quarter-final against either Ivory Coast or Mali in confident fashion.

KEY OPTA FACTS

– Algeria have won their last four games in the Africa Cup of Nations. They have done better only once in this competition, during the 1990 edition (five games in a row) when they lifted their only continental trophy.
– Guinea have always lost and have never kept a clean sheet in their five knockout stage games in the Africa Cup of Nations.
– Algeria have the best attack (nine goals scored) and the best defence (zero conceded) of the 2019 tournament.
– Adam Ounas has been directly involved in four goals in his last two Africa Cup of Nations games (three goals, one assist).
– Youcef Belaili and Riyad Mahrez have each scored two goals in the 2019 finals.