The last chance game. After its draw against Sierra Leone (0-0) and its surprise defeat against Equatorial Guinea (0-1), Algeria had no room for error this Thursday in its match of the 3rd day of the group stage against Côte d’Ivoire, at the Japoma Stadium in Douala. The mission was indeed simple for the Fennecs: win to finish in the top three of group E and therefore hope to finish at least in the best third of the competition. Any other result than a victory could therefore be fatal… Suddenly, Djamel Belmadi took out the heavy artillery for his 4-2-3-1 with a Mahrez-Belaïli-Benrahma trio behind Bounedjah. Opposite, Patrice Beaumelle opted for a 4-3-3 with Pépé, Haller and Gradel at the forefront.
grandpa in a big day
In a meeting where they did not need to make the game, the Elephants quietly turned the ball around at the start of the game and then got the first opportunity of the match with this off-target recovery from Pépé (8th). The rest of the game was marked by numerous faults but the Fennecs managed to respond with this post found by Bennacer on a corner played quickly (21st). A big scare for the Ivorians, who nevertheless opened the scoring behind. On a service from Pépé from the right of the area, Kessié unlocked the situation from inside the left foot (22nd, 1-0). Algeria, at that time, therefore needed to score twice without conceding another goal to qualify. But the Djamel Belmadi team did not react and sank.
After a small opportunity for Belaïli and a missed control (34th), Côte d’Ivoire doubled the lead. On a free kick taken by Aurier, Sangaré, forgotten at the far post, scored with a header in front of a completely beaten M’Bolhi (40th, 2-0). A reaction was therefore expected in the second half and at half-time, Djamel Belmadi launched Slimani in place of Benrahma, but that did not change anything. Worse, Algeria sank on recovery. After several hot balls in the Algerian area (49th, 51st) and a save from M’Bolhi (52nd), Pépé tripled the stake for the Elephants with a sublime rolled-up ball (54th, 3-0). However, hope could be reborn with this foul on Belaïli in the area. But Mahrez rushed and found the post on his penalty (60th)! Totally cursed, the Fennecs still did not shake the nets and Djamel Belmadi launched Brahimi and Bendebka (62nd).
Comoros thanks Equatorial Guinea
Despite this good lead, Patrice Beaumelle answered him by making three changes around the 69th minute, and Algeria took advantage of it behind to relaunch the end of the game. The corner was played quickly and Atal found Mandi at the far post who put in the axis on Bendebka. From the head, the Algerian midfielder reduced the gap (73rd, 3-1) to restore some hope to the Fennecs. A meeting far from over, but Ali saved his team by making a superb parade in front of Slimani (75th). In the process, on the counter-attack, Kessié thought of signing a double but an offside was signaled (77th). Djamel Belmadi then tried everything for everything by making two other changes but the clock was ticking and the goals did not come. Haller saw his goal be denied for offside (90th + 3). With this 3-1 defeat, Algeria, yet defending champions, is therefore already leaving this CAN 2021! Côte d’Ivoire ends up at the top of its pool.
In the other match scheduled for 5 p.m., Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea crossed swords at Limbe Stadium, still in this group E. John Keister’s selection had to achieve a positive result to qualify for the round of 16, while the visitors on paper only needed a draw to lock in second place and secure their ticket to the finals. In this meeting, the nets only trembled once on the work of Ganet in the first period (38th, 0-1). A goal that offered victory and qualification to Equatorial Guinea. But this result above all offered immense happiness to the Comoros, now guaranteed to finish in the best third and therefore to see the round of 16. A feat for their first participation in the CAN!
The 5 p.m. results:
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Ivory Coast 3-1 Algeria: Kessié (22nd), Sangaré (39th), Pépé (54th); Bendebka (73rd)
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Sierra Leone 0-1 Equatorial Guinea : Ganet (38e)
