Algeria
Algeria (Credits: Twitter)

An early deflected goal by Baghdad Bounedjah saved the day for Algeria as they beat Senegal to be crowned African Champions.

Algeria won their first major title after 1990, on beating Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations finals. The game was intense, with both teams hungry for goal.  Senegal played without their defensive talisman Kalidou Koulibaly, who was suspended for the finals.

In early 2 minutes of the game Baghdad Bounedjah made an amazing run and took a long shot. The shot was blocked  by Salif Sane, but a bizzare deflection took the  shot flighting and then dipping inside the Senegalese goal, leaving everyone shocked. The goal was Algeria’s only shot on goal in the whole game, which was way less compared to Senegal’s 12 shots, who still failed to score.

Senegal dominated the possession in the whole game, while Algeria sat back and defended, mostly taking chances in counter attacks. This was Senegal’s second defeat by the hands of Algeria in this tournament. Both the games ended with the same scoreline, the only difference being that this was a final while the other one was in the group stage. Senegal had not conceded a single goal in the past 4 consecutive matches before this match.

Senegal were awarded a penalty in the second half for a hand ball, but the decision was overturned by a VAR review.

The intensity of the game can be very well justified by the fouls committed throughout the match. Senegal committed 18 fouls and were shown 2 yellow cards in total, whereas Algeria made 32 fouls and were shown 4 yellow cards.

Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi, who has been their coach for the past three years expressed his emotions after winning in a post match interview. He said: “This has been tough. I am very, very happy, for the country, for the people who have waited for this for a long time. It’s the first time we have won it outside our country, it’s simply extraordinary.

“They say you don’t play finals, you win them, I don’t really believe that,” he added. “We prepared and wanted to play against this talented team, Senegal. It wasn’t our best match. We didn’t have ball possession nor impose our play.”