Early Goal Hands Algeria AFCON Glory

-
Algeria

Algeria became Africa Cup of Nations champions for a second time as they edged Senegal 1-0 in a scrappy final on Friday.

Djamel Belmadi's side needed a sensational last-gasp Riyad Mahrez winner to beat Nigeria in the last four, but it was a scrappy early strike that decided this clash as Baghdad Bounedjah benefited from a huge deflection.

Further chances were few and far between in an ill-tempered affair as Algeria withstood almost constant pressure and also saw a Senegal penalty award overturned with VAR.

The single goal ultimately proved enough to hold on, Algeria triumphing on foreign soil for the first time to add to their 1990 success as hosts.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FIFA Strips Peru of U17 World Cup Hosting Rights

-
FIFA have stripped Peru of U17 World Cup hosting rights due to concerns over infrastructure. The decision was taken by the bureau of the FIFA Council which features the six regional confederation presidents and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The tournament was due to be staged in October after Peru was awarded the competition last June, but FIFA said following various inspection visits it found a "number of organisational and infrastructure challenges linked to the event delivery". In a statement released on Friday evening, FIFA said that it's "currently evaluating different alternatives concerning the appointment of a new host country". England won the 2017 edition of the competition in India.
Read more

Mourinho Has No Problem Returning to Real Madrid

-
Image
Jose Mourinho would have "no problem" returning to Real Madrid as coach, stoking the rumours linking him as a potential successor to Santiago Solari. It has been a turbulent season for both Mourinho and Madrid, as the Portuguese manager lost his job at Manchester United in December, while Los Blancos have underwhelmed under two coaches. Solari took charge of Madrid in October last year, and although he has overseen a moderate improvement from the end of Julen Lopetegui's brief spell, in no way have they caught the imagination of supporters. When asked if he would go back to a former club, Mourinho told beIN SPORTS: "To a club that I have been before? If I think the right club, the right structure, the right ambitions, I will have no problem at all. "I think it's really a reason of pride when a club where you worked before wanting you back. They [Madrid] are the iconic club, I think so, you know, [they have won] 13 Champions Leagues [titles]."
Read more

Messi Had Blood in His Mouth – Pique Hits Out at Ramos

-
Image
Lionel Messi had blood in his mouth after a clash with Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos during Saturday's La Liga Clasico, claims Gerard Pique. Messi and Ramos were involved in a flashpoint in the first half of Barca's 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu that moved Ernesto Valverde's men 10 points clear at the top of the La Liga table. Ramos knocked the ball past Messi but then seemed to thrust his arm into the face of the Barcelona captain, who made his displeasure clear to the officials, although Madrid's skipper was not punished. "Leo had blood in his mouth," said Pique. "It was an aggression. "Intensity does not have to be measured. I get along great with the Real Madrid players. "But when you go out to the field you defend your colours and the rivalry is what you get. "But once the game is over, the cordiality is mutual, the players respect us very much."
Read more

Bayern Level With Dortmund After Seeing Off Hertha

-
Image
Bayern Munich moved level on points with Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund as they defeated Hertha Berlin 1-0 at the Allianz Arena. With Dortmund not in action against Bayer Leverkusen until Sunday, the champions seized the opportunity to pile pressure onto their rivals despite a largely poor performance against Hertha. The visitors carried the greater threat before Javi Martinez nodded Bayern in front just after the hour, settling nerves among the home supporters. The final 30 minutes were still not wholly convincing, however, and long-suffering Bayern winger Kingsley Coman was dealt another injury blow, disappearing down the tunnel nine minutes after arriving from the bench. A frustrating afternoon for a Hertha side who would have been good value for at least a point ended with Karim Rekik sent off as he lashed out at Robert Lewandowski off the ball.
Read more

Klopp Backs Liverpool to Fight Back

-
Image
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his players can still win the Premier League despite surrendering their advantage at the division’s summit. It was a disappointing weekend for Liverpool, who suffered a frustrating afternoon against Everton on Sunday, when they played out a goalless draw at Goodison Park. Just the day before Manchester City had moved two points clear of Klopp’s men at the top of the table with a 1-0 win against Bournemouth, meaning with nine games left, the reigning champions are in the driving seat to win the Premier League. Klopp has not lost faith in his players or the club’s hopes of ending their 29-year wait to win England’s top division. “I don’t think I have to give my players advice, because they know it already,” the German said after Sunday’s game. “We are not little boys any more. It’s not like we were completely surprised that we can play good football, that we are in the very, very top part of the table. But if you are there, you have to...
Read more