Youcef Belaili’s second half goal was enough for the Desert Foxes to finish top of group C undefeated.

 

Following a very quiet first half, Algeria did well to hold on to just a goal lead as Senegal’s main man Sadio Mane came close to equalising in the final moments of the game as he headed over from close range.

 

The goal came four minutes after the break, following a great passage of play from the Desert Foxes, Riyad Mahrez slipped a ball in for Sofiane Feghouli, who squared the ball for Belaili just on the edge of the box, the winger then slotted in perfectly from distance to give the Algerians the lead.

 

Badou Ndiaye was unable to keep his shot low for Senegal just after the hour-mark and Mahrez, after dribbling past opponents, came close after his effort curled inches wide.

 

Senegal believed that they should have got a penalty when Mane went down in the box after he was seen in-between Adlene Guedioura and Ramy Bensebaini.

 

Rais M’Bolhi produced a brilliant save to deny Youssouf Sabaly’s powerful shot from distance and Mbaye Diagne then was unable to hit the target from the rebound.

 

Algeria now face Tanzania in the final group game on Monday 20:00 GMT+1.

 

Algeria XI: Algeria XI: M’bolhi, Atal, Mandi, Benlamri, Bensebaini (80’ Fares), Guédioura, Mahrez, Feghouli, Bennacer (71’ Abeid), Belaïli (86’ Delort), Bounedjah

Subs: Doukha, Tahrat, Halliche, Ounas, Slimani, Boudaoui, Oukidja, Zeffane, Abeid, Brahimi

 

Senegal XI: Mendy, Wague, Kouyate, Koulibaly, Sabaly, Balde (63’ Thioub), N’Diaye (87’ Saivet), Diatta (73’ Diagne), Ndiaye, Niang, Mane

Subs: Diallo, Ciss, Cisse, Gueye, Sane, Sane, Konate, Sarr, Gassama, Gomis

 

Match Highlights: