An Aïssa Mandi own goal and a Naïm Sliti penalty gave Tunisia a deserved victory in this North African derby, leaving Algeria on the verge of an early exit from the tournament
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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...
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.
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.