While it was to win, Algeria fell heavily (1-3) against Cรดte d’Ivoire on Thursday.ย The Fennecs, defending champions, are eliminated from the CAN and finish last in group E.
Huge disappointment for Algeria!ย In the obligation to win to qualify for the round of 16, the Fennecs fell heavily against Cรดte d’Ivoire (1-3).ย The defending champions come out of the competition with a draw and two defeats on the clock in group E. The Ivorians, they finish in the lead with seven points and continue their journey.
Mahrez, symbol of a collective failure
Captain of the Fennecs, Riyad Mahrez has never fulfilled his role as offensive leader within a disappointing Algerian team, lacking in inspiration and success.ย As a symbol, the Manchester City striker did not target any of his shots and even missed a penalty (60th), which hit the post of Ivorian goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangarรฉ.ย The lack of attacking realism was the main fault of the Algerians during this group stage, they who posted an average of 2.9 goals per game in their last ten meetings before the CAN.
Algeria is therefore eliminated from the CAN without having won a single match, as in 2017. Belmadi’s men even became the first defending champions to lose two CAN group stage matches since Cameroon, in 1990. The failure is total…
Ivory Coast sends a message
Yet deprived of Wilfried Zaha and Eric Bailly, packages, the Elephants were never worried during the meeting. Patrice Beaumelle’s men dominated and overpowered their opponents with great offensive efficiency, scoring seven of their twelve attempts.
Franck Kessiรฉ opened the scoring, and his goal counter in the competition, on a perfect serve from Nicolas Pรฉpรฉ (22nd). The Gunner scored his second goal in this CAN with a superb curling shot (54th). Meanwhile, Ibrahim Sangarรฉ had given his team a two-goal lead with a header following a free kick from Aurier (39′). The reduction in Sofiane Bendebka’s score came much too late (74th) to really revive Algeria. The Elephants will face Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in the round of 16.