Algeria scored an extra-time equalizer in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Burkina Faso in Group D in Bouaké, saving the 2019 champions from another disappointing result in the tournament.
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Baghdad Bounedjah scored from a corner kick five minutes into stoppage time to secure his share of the spoils and deny Burkina Faso early qualification to the next round.
Bounedjah scored the two goals for Algeria, while Mohamed Konate and Bertrand Traoré scored for Burkina Faso, which remained at the top of the group with four points compared to two points for Algeria.
Burkina Faso came very close to achieving a landslide victory that would have qualified them to the round of 16 with the first and second places guaranteed. They were under pressure for most of the game but there were two VAR decisions in their favour.
Algeria failed to convert their chances in the first half, with Youssef Belaili missing, as Burkinabé goalkeeper Hervé Kofi looked nervous and cleared both shots straight away for the Algerians and were lucky they were unable to finish the game off.
Burkina Faso almost scored a goal from a rare attack in stoppage time at the end of the first half, when a long ball from Abdel-Fassal Tapsouba passed over the Algerian defense and was headed home by Konate’s perfect ball. The referee immediately blew the whistle for offside, but VAR was in Konate’s favour.
Algeria equalized in the 51st minute when a free kick was partially blocked and fell to Nabil Bentaleb, whose shot was blocked by the goalkeeper and reached the foot of Bounedjah, who quickly recovered to put the ball into the net from close range.
Burkina Faso regained its lead from a penalty kick in the 71st minute through substitute Traoré, who also scored a penalty kick in stoppage time, to win 1-0 over Mauritania in its first match in Group D.
It was another VAR check that went Burkina Faso’s favour, as it revealed a violent challenge from Rayan Ait Nouri on Issa Kabore. The referee did not count the kick, but replays showed that Ait Nouri missed the ball when he tried to clear it and caught Kabore in the leg.
A corner kick late in the game gave Algeria relief as Bounedjah jumped to head home from a free kick.
“I have confidence in my players, they came back with the same determination, what we lack is to be stronger [instinct]Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi said afterwards.
Algeria won the Cup of Nations in 2019 but had a terrifying defense of their title in Cameroon two years ago, returning home with one point and bottom of their group and facing a similar scenario again after drawing their opening match against Angola. .
