At the end of a first intense and rhythmic final, before decreasing in intensity, Algeria won against Tunisia 2-0 after extra time. Amir Sayoud and Yacine Brahimi, scorers of the evening, become the heroes of their team, already reigning African champion, and now winner of the Arab Cup.
After an epic quarter-final and semi-final, Algeria could dream of a double Africa Cup of Nations-Arab Cup. An ambition nourished by a certain legitimacy, she presented herself as a favorite in this final against her little neighbor Tunisia. Bougherra aligned his talents, Benlamri in the axis, Bendekba a notch higher in the midfield or Brahimi and the whimsical Belaïli in support of Bounedjah. The Fennecs were however jostled in these first minutes, taken by the throat by a formation of Tunisia hungry for balloons, urgent from the first movements of the opposing surface
This highlight lasted a good 20 minutes without being rewarded. The referee first considered that the contact on Hannibal in the truth zone did not deserve a penalty (11th), then it was the bar that saved Raïs M’Bolhi on this head of Ifa, following a blow -franc de Sliti (14th). The former Dijonnais found him the tap of the Algerian doorman on this rolled strike from the left (20th). Shaken like a bottle of Selecto at the start of the final, the Fennecs managed to keep the cork on the neck, and even to release a little pressure while in control.
Tunisia starts strong, Algeria responds
The reigning African champion took control of the game, thinking openly to open the scoring but faced with Hassen’s exit, Meziani missed the frame 6 meters from the goal after a tumble from Bounedjah on the right (21st). The Carthage Eagles’ defense held up well thanks to a concentrated goalkeeper (30th) and a perfectly united set, even in the face of these two conceded shots on target (33rd). Neither team has so far managed to make a difference on the scoreboard. This tension was starting to show itself, as evidenced by this big altercation where the Tunisians Msakni and Jaziri and the Algerian Bounedjah received a yellow (40th).
There wasn’t much lacking to shake things up though as all the ingredients were incorporated into the recipe. Even the VAR added a bit of its spice when the defense of Chalali in the box was reviewed several times to finally come back to the game (54th). Starting strong, the pace slowly fell, fatigue also making itself felt. The weight of extra time played in the previous rounds weighed on the Algerian legs, less and less in control of the game. Jaziri even had the match point but he unscrewed in front of the frame (90th + 1).
The extension still proves the Fennecs right
Never two without three, El Khadra went through a new extension. And again, it worked for him. Sayoud took advantage of a clever handover from Bounedjah to beat with a heavy strike from the left from 20 meters an ill-inspired Hassen (0-1, 99th). Led, Tunisia had no choice, wasting a first ammunition on this sudden attempt by Ben Romdhane (105th + 2). Then a second when the recovery of Ben Arbi flirted with the post of M’Bolhi (111th), and finally a third with this final double attempt (119th). The defense held firm and one last against, while Hassen was mounted, allowed Brahimi to fold the case (0-2, 120th + 5). Algeria can celebrate a doubled history.
