Defending champions Algeria have been eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the group stage following a 3-1 defeat by Ivory Coast.
The Fennec Foxes were desperate for a win as they had three points ahead of this one and their mission was to make to the knockout rounds.
The Elephants, meanwhile, finished at the top of the group and they will meet Egypt in the Round of 16 match to be played Wednesday,January 26, at Stade Omnisport de Daoula.
The game started with a high tempo but both sides failed to produce anything in the final third.
Nicola Pepe should have opened the scoring with Ivory Coast first clear opening in the 17th minute, as he placed his effort wide of the goal from six-yards out after some great by Serge Aurier on the right.
Five minutes later, Franck Kessi punished Algeria defence with a brilliant right-footed finish, after he connected to Pepe pass from inside the area.
The Elephants were well positioned in the 30th minute to deny Aïssa Mandi a powerful shot from just outside the box.
Ibrahim Sangaré put Algeria ahead three minutes after the restart as he rose well to head home Serge Aurier’s floated cross from a set piece situation.
At the interval, Ivory Coast enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The second half saw Patrice Beaumelle side once again taking control of possession, as they searched for more goals.
The impressive Sébastien Haller came close to getting his name onto the score sheet, but he was denied by the Algeria goalkeeper.
Algeria started firing an almost pulled a goal back in the 51st minute when a free-kick into the box from Baghdad Bounedjah beat all before being cleared for unfruitful corner.
Nicolas Pépé increased the Elephants advantage in the 54th minute with a moment of brilliance, as his left footed shot from the centre of the box went to the bottom left corner, 3-0.
Algeria pulled one back on the 74th minute when Sofiane Bendebka nodded a header from very close range to the high centre of the goal following a corner from by Aïssa Mandi.
Sebastien Haller thought he has scored the fourth for Ivory Coast on the 89th minute but his goal was ruled offside by Video Assistant Referee.
Ivory Coast continued to boss the game to the final whistle, against a very poor Fennec Foxes side on the day.
How they lined-up:
Cote d’Ivoire: B. Sangaré; S. Aurier (Habib Maiga 69), S. Deli (Wilfred Kanon 68), G. Konan, O. Kossounou, M. Gradel, J. Seri, F. Kessié, I. Sangaré (Geoffrey Serey Die 68), S. Haller, N. Pépé
Algeria: R. M’Bolhi; A. Mandi, R. Bensebaïni, A. Bedrane, Y. Atal, I. Bennacer (Sofiane Bendebka 62), R. Zerrouki, Y. Belaïli, R. Mahrez, B. Bounedjah (Yacine Brahimi 62), S. Benrahma (Islam Slimani 46)
