Islam Slimani double not enough as Algeria crash out after Senegal draw
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Updated 23/01/2017 at 21:53 GMT
Africa Cup of Nations, Group B, Stade de Franceville - Senegal 2 (Diop 44, Sow 54) Algeria 2 (Slimani 10, 52).
Algeria's forward Islam Slimani (R) controls the ball before scoring past Senegal's goalkeeper Khadim N'Diaye during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Senegal and Algeria in Franceville on January 23, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
Leicester stars Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani are heading home from the Africa Cup of Nations after Algeria finished third in Group B following a 2-2 draw with Senegal.
Although striker Slimani scored twice – once from close range after just 10 minutes following a pinpoint cross from Sofiane Hanni, and again in the second half with a shinned finish over Khadim N’Diaye – it was not enough as Tunisia beat Zimbabwe 4-2 in the other Group B match to seal qualification in second place behind Senegal.
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Senegal's midfielder Papakouli Diop (R) celebrates with Senegal's defender Zargo Toure after scoring a goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Senegal and Algeria in Franceville on January 23, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
Papakouli Diop cancelled out Slimani’s first goal just before half-time and Moussa Sow scored a minute after the Leicester striker’s second to earn Senegal top spot on seven points, with Tunisia just one behind.
Senegal's progression was already assured pre-match, meaning highly-rated coach Aliou Cisse was afforded the luxury of making ten changes to the side who beat Zimbabwe last time out, but they looked anything like a second string.
Slimani should have won the match for Algeria late on, but fired wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. The Leicester striker then limped off, which will be a worry for Foxes fans.
Up next for Senegal is a quarter-final date with Cameroon, with Tunisia through to face Burkina Faso, at Algeria's expense.
TALKING POINT
How big of a surprise is Algeria’s exit? Despite Tunisia sitting just above the Greens in the FIFA rankings, many fancied Algeria to go all the way, never mind get out of their group. To head home without a victory should see Georges Leekens’s tenure come to an end, leaving Algeria with an uncertain future after another disappointing tournament.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Islam Slimani. It wasn’t his team’s night, and he really should have had a hat-trick, but the Leicester hitman was a real threat all evening, and linked up well with club team-mate Riyad Mahrez. His injury at the end will be of concern.
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Slimani lobs Senegal keeper with shot off shin
PLAYER RATINGS
Senegal: N'Diaye 6, Ciss 6, Kara 6, Mbodji 6, Toure 6, Ndiaye 6, Sarr 7, Ndoye 7, Diop 7, Diame 6, Konate 7, Sow 7… Subs: Gueye 6, Diedhiou 6.
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Senegal keeper kicks himself in calf, goes down injured against Algeria
Algeria: Malek 6, Meftah 6, Mandi 6, Cadamuro 5, Ghoulam 6, Guedioura 6, Bentaleb 5, Mahrez 7, Hanni 7, Brahimi 7, Slimani 8. Subs… Ghezzal 7, Boundjah 6.
KEY MOMENTS
10’ - GOAL! Algeria 1-0 Senegal. Slimani opens the scoring to give the Greens hope. Sofiane Hanni with the superb delivery, and Slimani couldn't miss. Will the strike be deemed irrelevant?
20’ - SAVE! Moussa Sow is played though the gap, he gets there before Algeria goalkeeper Asselah Malek, but elects to try and take it around Asselah, allowing the 'keeper to dive at Sow's feet and smother.
31’ - SAVE! Brahimi slides in on Mahrez, who is forced slightly wide, but gets the shot in, only to see N'Diaye spread himself well to block.
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Senegal's defender Zargo Toure (R) challenges Algeria's forward Sofiane Hanni during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group B football match between Senegal and Algeria in Franceville on January 23, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
51' - GOAL! Algeria 2-1 Senegal. Great from for Mahrez to set up Slimani to put the Greens back in front. Superb work from Mahrez to make the run in behind, clip a cross into Slimani, who just squeezes the ball home, with the finish looping in off his knee. Not pretty but effective
54' - GOAL! Algeria 2-2 Senegal. We are level again here! Sow with the strike. Well that didn't last long. Hanni's tackle on the edge of the box falls to Sow, who lashes superbly into the net from 20 yards.
76' - MISS! That really should be the hat-trick for Slimani. Hanni delightfully threads the ball through, and with just the keeper to beat, Slimani drags his effort wide.
85' - CHANCE! Sow should do much better with a volley from just inside the box, but he fires straight at the goalkeeper as the ball came out of the sky.
KEY STATS
Senegal are making their 14th appearance at the African Cup of Nations - a record for a team that has never won the trophy; the closest Senegal came to winning the AFCON was in 2002 (they lost on penalties to Cameroon in the final).
This was Algeria's 17th participation in the African Cup of Nations; their solitary title dates back to 1990, it was on home soil. They haven't reached the final since then.
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