Three days after dropping its first points during these CAN 2025 qualifiers, Algeria recovered perfectly. This Sunday, on the pitch of the Stade Hocine Aït Ahmed in Tizi-Ouzou, in Kabylia, the Vets, carried by their more flamboyant executives, crushed a B team from Liberia (5-1), for the 6th and last day, also offering themselves a Manita after Morocco on Friday against Gabon (1-5).
Better entered his match than against the Equatorial Guinea midweek (0-0), Algeriawearing his new home jersey, launched the first offensive of the game in the 4th minute through Amine Gouiri. Following a back pass from Jaouen Hadjam, preferred on the left to substitute Rayan Aït-Nouri, the Rennes striker executed a shot on target directly into the arms of Abdulai Koulibaly. The second alert followed immediately with a rebound on the post by Ahmed Kendouci, also starting this Sunday, following a cross from captain Riyad Mahrez from the right (4th).
Algeria surprised by Liberia
However, against the run of play, the Greens conceded the opener two minutes later on a free kick played from the left. Following a delivery at the far post, Sampson Dweh beat Alexis Guendouz on his left into the side net with a well-placed shot (0-1, 6th).
This setback strengthened the confidence of Lone Stars. This is demonstrated by Daniel Toe's long, off-target shot a quarter of an hour into the game or the free kick above Sheikh Sesay three minutes later (18th). Not for long though. Because Algeria was raising the cursor. And this resulted in the Greens' first real opportunity in the 19th minute. More incisive than in Malabo on the previous day, Mahrez challenged Koulibaly with a powerful strike which was pushed back to his right. Baghdad Bounedjah, at the restart, unscrewed his shot passing next to the left post of the 29-year-old goalkeeper (19th).
Algeria ahead thanks to Mandi and Mahrez records
The equalizer was not long in coming. Well served on the left in depth, Gouiri saw his shot hit Koulibaly then Aïssa Mandi returned to the empty goal on the right and celebrated his record 103rd cap with a goal (1-1, 20th). The Algerian diesel was launched. The Tizi-Ouzou public had finally woken up.
In this context but above all an overheated atmosphere, the second Algerian goal followed almost 10 minutes later. Following pressure from Bounedjah leading to a high recovery from Kendouci, Gouiri executed a one-two with a teammate on the left and crossed at the far post for Mahrez who took it back into the empty goal (2-1, 29th). The Al-Ahli winger took the opportunity to become the second top scorer in the history of the Greens with 32 goals.
Vladimir Petkovic's men did not release the pressure on the Liberian goals. Farès Chaïbi sent a strike on Koulibaly, Bounedjah too, without Mahrez managing to resume in stride (37th). Behind, Mohamed Tougai tackled at the last minute in the rearguard to preserve the goals before half-time (40th).
“Allah Akbar Mahrez”, Amoura sees double
Coming back from the break, Algeria was progressing. Bounedjah, twice, missed the opportunity to score the break, by lobbing Koulibaly too hard (51st), then by being imprecise on a scissors after a free kick from Mahrez (57th). The Al-Shamal SC striker finally found the target just after the hour mark, taking a shot from Gouiri on the left into the empty goal that was repelled by the post (3-1, 64th).
While the pace then fell little by little, Petkovic brought in Mohamed Amoura in place of Mahrez, for the shot to a standing ovation from the Kabylia who chanted “Allah Akbar Riyad Mahrez”. With immediate effect, the Wolfsburg center forward ignited the end of the game with his acceleration… and with a double. And this, after having pilloried the Liberian defense, author of several saves on the line. The pocket attacker (1.70m) instantly took over an offering from Gouiri (4-1, 74th) before a final goal in stoppage time (5-1, 90th+5).
Three days after its insipid performance in Equatorial Guinea, Algeria showed a more attractive face and finished first in its group undefeated (16 points). Liberia finished last, following Togo's victory against the Equatorial Guineans.
The compositions of Algeria-Liberia
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