AFCON 2025: Mahrez tames Stallions and sends Algeria to Round of 16

Algeria have joined Egypt and Nigeria as the third side to book their place in the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burkina Faso on Sunday night.

The super-exciting showdown at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat provided us with much more than the final outcome, and the single name on the scoresheet suggests.

Coming to the match after their respective victories in the opening game, both teams were eager to build on that momentum. Alas, the Stallions just couldn't find the way to the back of Luca Zidane's net.

Edmond Tapsoba and Georgi Minoungou - the heroes of that Burkinabe late comeback against Equatorial Guinea a few days ago - lacked the necessary calm and precision this time, failing to score on more than a few promising occasions.

The former was inches away from recreating his late heroics in the opening seconds of the stoppage time, while Cyriaque Irie's a few minutes later stayed in the hands of Zidane Jr.

However, don't let those facts lead you to a false conclusion...

In truth, Vladimir Petkovic's side had even more opportunities to score, but it's Riyad Mahrez's first-half penalty that made all the difference. The Fennecs were so close to doubling the lead in the last part of the tie, but Ibrahim Maza and Manchester City's Rayan Ait-Nouri were off the target when almost everyone in the stadium thought we're about to see the match put to sleep.

After all, it stayed 1-0 for Algeria, and the decision about who will join the Fennecs in the Round of 16 will be made on the last day of the year.

AFCON 2025: Sudan revive qualification hopes with win over Equatorial Guinea

Despite the loss, Burkina Faso remain very close to reaching the knockout stage, as they're tied in second place with Sudan, and the battle between the two promises a true spectacle as the curtain falls on 2025.

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS - GROUP STAGE

Friday

Angola - Zimbabwe 1-1 (1-1)

/Dala 24 - Musona 45+6/

Egypt - South Africa 1-0 (1-0)

/Salah 45 pen/

Zambia - Comoros 0-0

Morocco - Mali 1-1 (1-0)

/Diaz 45+5 pen - Sinayoko 64 pen/

Saturday

Benin - Botswana 1-0 (1-0)

/Roche 28/

Senegal - DR Congo 1-1 (0-0)

/Mane 69 - Bakambu 61/

Uganda - Tanzania 1-1 (0-0)

/Ikpeazu 80 - Msuva 59 pen/

Nigeria - Tunis 3-2 (1-0)

/Osimhen 44, Ndidi 50, Lookman 67 - Talbi 74, Abdi 87 pen/

Sunday

Gabon - Mozambique 2-3 (1-2)

/Aubameyang 45+5, Moucketou-Moussounda 76 - Bangal 37, Catamo 42 pen, Calila 52/

Equatorial Guinea - Sudan 0-1 (0-0)

/Coco 74 og/

Algeria - Burkina Faso 1-0 (1-0)

/Mahrez 23 pen/

23.00: (2.20) Ivory Coast (3.15) Cameroon (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***