This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
At the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria's coach Djalmen Belmadi has been cautious about labelling his team as favourites, but their emphatic 3-0 win over Guinea on Sunday night has set them on a strong path to securing their second African title.
Belmadi's team has been on a roll, with four wins and nine goals scored for none conceded, including a 1-0 victory over Africa's top-ranked team, Senegal, in the group stages.
Algeria's quick passing game, incisive movement in the last third, and sharp finishing have marked them out as the real form team of the championship.
Guinea had no answers for the superior Desert Foxes, who opened the scoring on 28 minutes with a goal from Esperance forward Youseff Belaili, set up by a rapid interchange of passes in a crowded box.
Algeria's Qatari league top scorer, Baghdad Bounedjah, had two clear chances well created earlier on, but his shots were just wide.
Adlane Guedioura of Nottingham Forest was excellent in his holding role in midfield, while Empoli man Ismael Bennacer was a creative spark with his trickery and vision.
Manchester City forward Mahrez was another dangerous threat, and he duly struck early in the second half after Bennacer skipped past a couple of tackles to find him with an incisive through ball.
Mahrez returned the compliment with a strong finish, and substitute Napoli striker Adam Ounas got on the end of another good move for an emphatic finish nine minutes from time.
“Algeria deserved to win,” said Guinea's coach Paul Put.
Belmadi attributed their success to the team's exertion of maximum effort, saying, “I came here to achieve what people what people did not believe I would achieve. We are exerted our maximum effort and that is why we have succeeded so far,”
Algeria will face a sterner test in the quarter-finals, where they will meet either Mali or Cote d'Ivoire, but they will feel more than ready.
