The Fennecs of Algeria has advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament after beating the Syli National of Guinea 3-0 at the 30 June Stadium on Sunday evening.
The North African side emphatically dispatched their round of 16 opponent with a well-dominated performance that proved too hot to handle for the Syli national at the end of the 90 minutes.
Riyad Mahrez combined with striker Baghdad Bounedjah as well as the other forwards to threaten Guinea’s goal area right from the start of the first half. They came close to scoring but were stopped in their track by a defense that looked like it could stand the test of time.
It, however, fell 24 minutes into the match when Algeria attacker Youcef Belaili combined beautifully with Baghdad Bounedjah to find himself one on one with goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone. He made no mistakes and coolly curly his effort in the right bottom corner.
Guinea tried to respond but lacked the mean to really cause damage in the opposing third, forcing them to go into the break on the losing end.
Having resumed the second half, Algeria showed intent and decided to take the game to their opponent in search of a second goal to give them insurance. That equalizer came on the 57th minute courtesy a sumptuous strike from Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.
With just 7 minutes to end proceedings, substitute Adam Ounas found himself unmarked in the 18-yard box and connected to a low cross to give the Fennecs a three-goal cushion.
The match eventually ended 3-0 with the Syli national disappointingly bowing out of the 2019 AFCON.
Algeria will now face the winner of the round of 16 match between Mali and Cote d’Ivoire tomorrow at the quarter-finals.