CAIRO – Algeria won the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time on Friday when a freak second-minute goal by Baghdad Bounedjah gave them a 1-0 win over gallant Senegal in the final.
Bounedjah stunned the Lions of Teranga with a shot which took a wicked deflection off Salif Sane, and looped over the bewildered goalkeeper Alfred Gomis and into the net.
Algeria, who committed 32 fouls according to official match statistics, sat back after that and had to scrap for their win in a match that was certainly not a classic, but was tense and gripping throughout.
Senegal, beaten by Cameroon on their only previous appearance in the final in 2002, were awarded a penalty for handball in the second half, but the decision was revoked following a VAR review.
The final whistle provoked wild celebrations among the large contingent of travelling Algeria fans.
It was a fitting end to a tournament that, with 24 teams for the first time, produced plentiful drama, even if quality was sometimes lacking.
Senegal were missing Kalidou Koulibaly, arguably Africa’s finest defender, through suspension, and his absence was quickly felt.
The game got off to an extraordinary start when Bounedjah collected the ball, burst forward and unleashed a shot that took a wicked deflection off Sane.
Gomis stayed rooted to the spot, seemingly thinking that the ball was going out, but it dipped under the bar.
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— CAF (@CAF_Online)
But Algeria sat back and allowed Senegal to claw their way back into the game.
They had a major let off in the second half when Ismaila Sarr burst down the right and fired a low cross into the middle.
It struck Adlene Guedioura’s arm and, although it seemed impossible for the Algerian to get out of the way, the referee pointed to the spot, but then changed his mind after a VAR review.
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And the winner of the Total Man of the Match is R. M'bolhi! #SENALG #FootballTogether pic.twitter.com/kjVsR3KvDr
— CAF (@CAF_Online)
Algeria had another let off shortly afterwards. Cheikhou Kouyate sent Mbaye Niang clear and he took the ball around Rais Mbolhi, but shot into the side-netting.
Youssouf Sabaly then produced a vicious dipping shot which Mbolhi did well to tip over the bar, before Sarr volleyed over with the goal at his mercy.
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— CAF (@CAF_Online)