Equatorial Guinea defeated Algeria 1-0 in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Group E clash on Sunday to put the defending champions on the brink of elimination.
Algeria did all the probing inside the opening minutes, but it was Equatorial Guina that came closest to the lead when Oscar Siafa sliced a low ball from Jose Machin inches wide.
Equatorial Guinea refused to be kept quiet with 20 minutes gone following the near scare and threatened too after Pablo Ganet curled a ball from outside the area narrowly wide of the near corner.
Algeria’s first chance arrived after 38 minutes as Youcef Atal forced Jesus Owono into a fine save from close range.
Equatorial Guinea pushed for an opening goal in the closing stages of the first half, but they were unable to carve out a chance as the score remained 0-0 at the break.
Rais M’Bolhi came to Algeria’s rescue once again after the break as he did well to deny Saul Coco, Owono denied Riyad Mahrez in a one-on-one situation at the other end.
Algeria continued to push for the opening goal and they squandered a golden chance in the 59th minute when Youcef Belaili failed to beat Owono from close range.
The Fennec Foxes had another chance on the 67th minute when Ramy Bensebaini’s header from the left side of the six yard box was saved in the centre of the goal.
Equatorial Guinea finally broke the deadlock in the 71st minute when a corner kick from Josete Miranda was placed inside the net by Esteban Obiang from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner.
In the 80h minute Riyad Mahrez nearly found an equalizer when he broke into the box from the left flank, but fired into the side-netting from ten-yards out.
Algeria experienced only frustration in their attempts to come back into the game, with Equatorial Guinea unyielding in defence to secure a famous victory.
How they lined up:
Algeria: Rais M’Bolhi, Youcef Atal, Ramy Bensebaini, Djameleddine Benlamri (Mehdi Tahrat 54), Aissa Mandi, Sofiane Bendebka, Ismael Bennacer,Youcef Belaili, Sofiane Feghouli (Farid Boulaya 64), Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah (Islam Slimani 64)
Equatorial Guinea: Jesus Owono, Javier Akapo, Obiang Obono, Saul Coco, Basilio Nchama, Pablo Ganet, Jose Machin, Iban Salvador, Frederic Bikoro (Josete Miranda 65), Jannick Buyla Sam (Dorian Hanza 66), Oscar Siafa (Luis Nlavo 46)
