Algeria 1–0 Burkina Faso: Mahrez penalty sends Fennecs top of Group E at AFCON 2025
Algeria moved to the top of Group E at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a narrow but hard-fought 1–0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat on Saturday night.
The decisive moment came inside the opening 25 minutes when captain Riyad Mahrez calmly converted from the penalty spot, giving the Fennecs a crucial win in a tightly contested Matchday 2 encounter.
Early drama and Mahrez delivers
The match began at a frantic pace, with Burkina Faso midfielder Gustavo Sangaré shown a yellow card inside the opening 11 minutes for a strong challenge that set the tone for a physical contest.
Algeria suffered an early setback when Jaouen Hadjam was forced off injured, prompting an early reshuffle that saw Baghdad Bounedjah introduced in the 14th minute.
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Despite the disruption, the Fennecs struck first. Wolves full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri surged into the penalty area and was brought down by Ismahila Ouédraogo. After brief protests from the Burkina Faso players, the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation.
Mahrez stepped up and showed his trademark composure, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Algeria the lead in the 23rd minute. It was another decisive contribution from the Algerian skipper, who has been one of the standout performers of the tournament so far.
Burkina Faso threaten but Algeria hold firm
Burkina Faso responded positively and began to grow into the game, testing Algeria’s defensive organisation rather than their goalkeeper. Luca Zidane, watched on from the stands by his father Zinedine Zidane, remained largely untroubled despite sustained pressure.
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The Stallions came agonisingly close to equalising just before halftime when Dango Ouattara struck the post after a dangerous move down the flank, the rebound deflecting out for a corner as Algeria breathed a sigh of relief.
At the break, Algeria held a slender 1–0 advantage, with Mahrez’s penalty separating the two sides.
Second-half pressure and missed chances
Burkina Faso emerged with renewed intensity after the restart, pushing higher up the pitch and increasing the tempo in search of an equaliser. Bertrand Traoré and Georgi Minoungou were more involved, forcing Algeria to defend deep for long spells.
Algeria had opportunities to put the game beyond doubt. Ibrahim Maza missed a golden chance midway through the second half after being played through by Bounedjah, while Hicham Boudaoui later headed inches wide from a well-delivered cross.
Those missed chances nearly proved costly as Burkina Faso continued to apply late pressure. Crosses and long-range efforts kept Luca Zidane alert, though clear chances remained limited thanks to disciplined Algerian defending.
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As the match entered the final minutes, frustration began to show in the Burkina Faso ranks. Edmond Tapsoba was booked late on following a heated exchange with the officials, reflecting the Stallions’ growing desperation.
Four minutes of stoppage time were added, but Algeria remained composed, soaking up the pressure and closing out a valuable win that strengthens their position in Group E.
What it means
The victory sends Algeria to the top of Group E and puts them firmly on course for qualification to the knockout stages of AFCON 2025. For Burkina Faso, the defeat leaves little margin for error heading into their final group fixture.
Mahrez’s calm penalty once again underlined his importance to the Fennecs, while Algeria’s defensive resilience ensured they emerged with all three points from a closely fought contest in Rabat.
SportsLigue