Mauritania 1-0 Algeria: Dellahi's goal sends Algeria out of AFCON

Algeria crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations as Mohamed Dellahi's first-half goal proved enough to earn Mauritania a shock first-ever 1-0 win in the tournament and a ticket to the last 16.

Match Report

Dellahi punished some lax defending in the 36th minute and - despite a second-half onslaught - two-time tournament winners Algeria could not find a response as they finished bottom of their group for a second consecutive AFCON, while Mauritania go forward as one of the best third-placed teams.

After two successive draws had left them in trouble, Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi dropped Riyad Mahrez to the bench as he tried to freshen up his side but it did not work as Mauritania proved stubborn opponents.

Algeria dominated possession and Adam Ounas tried to catch out Babacar Niasse, shaping to cross and hitting a vicious inswinging shot the goalkeeper did well to claw behind.

But Mauritania stunned Algeria late in the half. Anthony Mandrea pushed away a stinging shot from Souleymane Anne, but Algeria could not clear the resulting corner and when Omare Gassama's shot was blocked, the ball fell for Dellahi to fire in, giving Mauritania their first ever lead in AFCON play.

Mahrez came on at the break as Algeria tried to turn up the heat but Mauritania remained a threat, and Aboubakary Koita wriggled his way past three defenders in the box before sending an off-balance shot over.

At the other end, Niasse came tearing off his line to cut out Ramiz Zerrouki's long ball forward, but needed Ibrahima Keita to scramble back and block Youcef Belaili's shot at his unguarded goal.

Algeria were looking desperate but it was Mauritania who had the late chances to score, with Lamine Ba hitting the crossbar before Guessouma Fofana was denied by the goalkeeper.

Eleven minutes were added on and Algeria went agonisingly close again, with Baghdad Bounedjah poking the ball inches wide after Aissa Mandi's shot was blocked by Niasse, but it was Mauritania's night.

Angola finished top of Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations finals as striker Mabululu's first-half header and a stoppage-time finish from Zini secured a 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

Angola finished on seven points with Burkina Faso second on four points. Mauritania were third with three points after their upset win over Algeria that eliminated the top seeds from the tournament in the Ivory Coast in another of the surprises that have characterised the competition.

Mabululu's 36th-minute header at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium came as Burkina Faso's Bertrand Traore failed to clear a free kick from Angola captain Fredy and the striker headed home at the near post for his second goal of the tournament.

Line-ups

Mauritania XI: Omaré Gassama, Lamine Ba, Babacar Niasse, Yali Dellahi, Aboubakary Koita, Souleymane Anne, Idrissa Thiam, Bodda Mouhsine, Khadim Diaw, Ibrahima Keita, Sidi Bouna Amar

Subs: El-Hadji Ba, Fofana, Souleymane Doukara, Aboubakar Kamara, Aly Abeid, Bakari Camara, Namori Diaw, El Hassan Houeibib, Hemeya Tanji, Pape Ibnou Ba, Bakary N'Diaye, Oumar Ngom

Algeria XI: Mandi, Baghdad Bounedjah, Anthony Mandréa, Ounas, Aouar, Youcef Atal, Hicham Boudaoui, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Mohamed Amine Tougai, Ramiz Zerrouki, Mohamed Amoura

Subs: Raïs M'Bolhi, Feghouli, Slimani, Youcef Belaïli, Mahrez, Bentaleb, Kevin Van Den Kerkhof, Ahmed Touba, Moustapha Zeghba, Zineddine Belaid, Larouci, Farès Chaïbi