After an even first half, Tunisia emerged the stronger for the second half and were in total control after Naïm Sliti’s penalty made it 2-0. Sofiane Hanni’s goal made the last few minutes edgy for Tunisia, but an Algeria equaliser would have been deeply unfair.

Algeria are not out yet, but they will need to beat Senegal, and hope Zimbabwe overcome Tunisia, to stand any chance. On today’s evidence, that’s unlikely. All credit to Tunisia, who lacked star names, but delivered the superior team performance. Thanks for reading. Bye!

Khenissi almost breaks away, but he’s flagged offside. No matter – the final whistle blows, and Tunisia have deservedly won the game!

94 mins: Tunisia kill a minute, but Algeria get the ball back, and still have 90 seconds or so to find an equaliser...

93 mins: Abeid’s pass deflects through to Mahrez, but once again, he’s immediately closed down.

92 mins: Sassi wins a free kick in the Algeria half. Final change for Algeria: Mehdi Abeid replaces Guedioura.

...and they’ve given themselves a chance! Guedioura’s cut back bobbles all the way to Hanni, 12 yards out, who rifles the ball into the top corner!

90 mins: Five additional minutes for Algeria to save themselves...

88 mins: Algeria free kick, but the ball in from Mahrez is weak, and bobbles behind off Yacoubi. The referee awards a goal kick, and Algeria aren’t thrilled.

86 mins: Mathlouli tries to carry on, but is now going to be replaced by Jridi.

84 mins: Mathlouthi collects the corner, but appears to have hurt his calf on the landing. Tunisia could be down to their last goalkeeper, Rami Jridi who plays for CS Sfaxien, another fine Tunisian team.

82 mins: Chance for Algeria! Mahrez threads the ball towards Slimani, whose cross-shot deflects behind off Abdennour. He wasn’t helped by Hanni, who needlessly cut out the pass, then played it on to Slimani.

80 mins: Almost a repeat of the opener, as Msakni’s shot thuds off Mandi’s shins – but this time, it bounces wide of Asselah’s far post.

79 mins: Algeria’s changes have added forwards, but Mahrez is their only real creative outlet, and there’s no forward momentum whatsoever.

77 mins: Change for Tunisia, with the hard-working Akaichi replaced by Taha Khenissi, who plays for Espérance. Tunisian clubs have good names.

76 mins: Akaichi is brought down by Bensebaini, handing Tunisia a central free kick, 25 yards out. It strikes Guedioura’s elbow, but Tunisia only get a corner, and the move fizzles out as Akaichi fouls Bensebaini.

74 mins: Brahimi, Algeria’s standout player, was taken off and responded by booting a coolbox, but failing to knock it over. It’s been one of those days.

73 mins: A third striker coming on for Algeria – Anderlecht’s Sofiane Hanni, who immediately sends in a cross that’s just beyond the reach of Slimani.

72 mins: Still absolutely nothing happening for Algeria. A substitution for Tunisia, with Khazri coming off, replaced by Mohamed Ali Yacoubi.

70 mins: Ben Amor, quietly impressive in midfield, concedes a corner, which drifts over the grappling throng assembled in the middle.

69 mins: Rachid Ghezzal, who’s done very little, is off. Baghdad Bounedjah, a striker who plays for Al-Sadd in Qatar, is on.

67 mins: It seems highly unlikely right now, but if Algeria do fight back, the decision not to send Ghoulam off will look even worse than it does already.

Asselah dives to his right, Sliti strokes the ball to his left, and Tunisia are in control.

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Algeria’s Cup of Nations could be going down in flames. From the quick break, Msakni’s through ball is headed back horribly by Ghoulam, letting Khazri in on goal. The one thing Ghoulam can’t do is clip Khazri’s heels. He does so, and is very lucky to only be booked.

62 mins: Brahimi becoming more involved, winning another free kick from Sassi’s challenge. As Ghezzal waits to take it, Bentaleb and Slimani complain at length about the Tunisia marking. Mathlouthi punches away, and Tunisia break...

61 mins: Brahimi turns sharply and gets ahead of Sliti, who brings the Porto man down. Another free kick, but again Tunisia deal with it comfortably.

60 mins: Mahrez picks up the ball, but is immediately closed down by two red shirts. I don’t want to hex them, but Tunisia look entirely capable of shutting this game down.

59 mins: Mandi is penalised for a foul, and offers the referee some choice words. Maaloul whips the ball in, but Msakni can’t get above Slimani to force a header on target.

57 mins: Abdennour fouls Mahrez, and from the free kick, there’s an appeal after the same player pulls Slimani’s shirt. The referee isn’t interested, but he was certainly holding Slimani.

55 mins: Msakni, whose movement has caused Algeria problems, is down and in discomfort. Algeria’s players take the opportunity to have a quick on-field huddle.

53 mins: Naïm Sliti, who plays for Lille at club level, pings a shot a few feet over the bar from 30 yards.

52 mins: Naguez concedes a free kick, but Slimani is penalised for an ill-tempered shove on Abdennour.

51 mins: Well, this game needed a goal, and Algeria now have 40 minutes to raise their game, and rescue their tournament.

From a throw in, Sassi lifts the ball beyond the defence to Msakni, whose cross from the left deflects off Mandi’s boot, and beyond Asselah!

49 mins: This time, Msakni’s through ball towards Khazri is overhit – but there’s enough danger for Ghoulam to hack the ball away...

48 mins: Nice bit of link-up play between Khazri and Msakni, but once again, Khazri’s final pass is wayward.

47 mins: Slimani and Abdennour resume their personal battle, the Leicester striker going in hard on the defender and conceding a free kick.

The second half begins. Mathlouthi returns in goal for Tunisia, despite a knock late in the second half. There’s no changes for either side.

If this game does end in a draw, Algeria will have two points, but face a tough final game against Senegal. Tunisia will have one point, and play Zimbabwe last, but could find qualification out of their hands, should Senegal beat Zimbabwe later today. Both teams, and this game, need a goal...

Half-time reading

A terrific interview with Emmanuel Adebayor from Nick Ames, who is at the tournament with Togo. Adebayor was with his national team in 2010 when their bus was attacked by gunmen, and three people were killed. It’s an incident that profoundly affected him, and is consistently overlooked by the striker’s numerous, vocal critics.

The half ends with words exchanged, Algeria complaining of an elbow on Bensebaini in the melee that followed the free kick. Both teams have had chances, but no breakthrough yet.

46 mins: Mahrez’s free kick is charged down by Mahloul, who had overstepped the referee’s line of magic spray. The Tunisian is booked, Brahimi takes the second free kick, but it’s cleared away.

45 mins: Abdennour protests theatrically after a tussle with Slimani leads to an Algeria free kick. I don’t blame him; it’s a terrible decision. Nevertheless, a good chance for Algeria, close to the right-hand corner of the area...

44 mins: Algeria happy to sit deeper as Tunisia control possession. Neither team will be happy with a draw today, so expect effort levels to go up after the break.

42 mins: Guedioura, who needs to be careful, gives away a free kick for a nudge on Ben Amor. We’re meandering towards half time here, in truth.

40 mins: Slimani holds the ball up expertly on the halfway line, then tucks a through pass towards Mahrez. Ben Youssef does well to get across and snuff out the danger.

39 mins: Akaichi has words with Khazri after the Sunderland man mishits a simple through pass.

Afcon for your ears: hear Jonathan Wilson’s latest dispatch from Gabon on Football Weekly Extra, hot and fresh out the kitchen:

36 mins: Mathlouli is down receiving treatment, while Algeria’s Bensebaini is also nursing a knock after a challenge on Maaloul.

35 mins: Algeria corner, taken by Brahimi, collected with ease by Mathlouthi.

34 mins: The tempo has sagged momentarily, allowing me to appreciate a haunting jazz riff being played on a trumpet by one fan.

32 mins: Slimani wins a free kick, which Mahrez swings into the box. Mathlouthi punches it clear, under no real pressure.

Today’s Fiver has just landed, if you fancy a bit of half-time reading.

31 mins: Akaichi tries to lift a diagonal pass to Msakni, but it’s not the best, and drifts out for a goal kick.

30 mins: Another yellow card for Algeria, this time deserved, as Meftah sends Msakni to the floor with a cynical trip.