Algeria will face Senegal after Mahrez’s Free kick in the dying embers of the game found the back of the net.

 

An own goal from William Troost-Ekong gave Algeria the lead in the first half before Nigeria levelled the score through Odion Ighalo’s penalty.

 

Algeria were the dominant force right from the off, Baghdad Bounedjah coming close in two occasions to break the deadlock.

 

The striker latched on to an over the top through ball from Youcef Belaili, but then fired his shot straight at Daniel Akpeyi.

 

Moments later he was through on goal again, it was Jamilu Collins who nearly scored an own goal to prevent Bounedjah from scoring as his clearance flew over his own crossbar.

 

The opening goal then came for Algeria as Troost-Ekong was unable to prevent the ball going into his own net following a cross from Mahrez.

 

Following a VAR review on a handball on Aissa Mandi, the Nigerians were able to bring one back through Ighalo’s spot kick.

 

Revelation at this year’s

tournament, Ismael Bennacer then came close to scoring one of the goals of the tournament, after smashing the cross bar with a shot just outside the box.

 

Bennacer was then fouled outside the box, just when the match was looking to go into extra time. It was the skipper Riyad Mahrez who stepped up to take the free kick, curling it past the Nigerian wall and into the back of the net to send Algeria to their first final in 29 years.

 

Algeria XI: M’bolhi, Zeffane, Mandi, Benlamri, Bensebaini, Guédioura, Mahrez, Feghouli, Bennacer, Belaïli, Bounedjah

 

Subs: Doukha, Tahrat, Halliche, Oukidja,  Abeid, Boudaoui , Brahimi, Atal, Fares, Ounas, Slimani, Delort

 

Nigeria: Akpeyi, Collins, Omeruo, Troost-Ekong, Awaziem, Etebo, Ndidi, Iwobi, Musa, Ighalo, Chukwueze (78’ Onyekuru)

 

Subs: Ezenwa, Aina, Balogun, Obi Mikel, Shehu, Onuachu, Simon, Kalu, Ogu, Osimhen, Uzoho

 

Match Highlights: