Senegal 0-1 Algeria
Algeria are kings for only the second time ever in the Africa Cup of Nations.
They have emerged as winners of an exciting tournament – one which has produced unlikely heroes and late drama.
The tournament produced shocking yet uplifting stories of Madagascar and Benin (who reached the quarter-finals against the odds), while hosts Egypt, Morocco and holders Cameroon were surprise early casualties.
Yet ultimately, only one aspect really mattered. Who could prevail in Cairo between 1990 champions Algeria against 2002 runners-up Senegal?
A close battle was always promised as the nations which had collectively produced the most African Cup of Nations highlights over the past month were just one step away from greatness.
However, it proved in a tight — if slightly — disappointing affair.
SBOBET takes a look on what happened during the game.
Highlights of the game
The main eyes may have been on Algeria’s magician Riyad Mahrez and Senegal’s star man Sadio Mane but there was far more to see than just two headline names. Indeed, the two main names were fairly quiet on the night.
What we weren’t necessarily expecting was such an early goal – one which proved to be decisive.
What we also didn’t predict was that Baghdad Bounedjah’s shot, which took a huge deflection off Salif Sane and looped over helpless goalkeeper Alfred Gomes, would be Algeria’s only effort on target in the 90 minutes that followed.
The African Cup of Nations betting odds clearly reflected how evenly matched the sides were – even with Senegal’s star defender Kalidou Koulibaly suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament in the semi-final win over Tunisia.
And it’s fair to say Senegal didn’t deserve to lose this tie, yet they were the ones who sank to their knees at the full-time whistle, many of them in tears, as their wait for the biggest African title of all goes on.
They dominated possession for long spells but were unable to make it count.
M’Baye Niang flashed a fierce drive over the bar just before the break, and rounded keeper Rais M’Bolhi early in the second half only to shoot wide from a tight angle.
M’Bolhi then did well to palm over a stinging effort from Youssouf Sabaly.
The main talking point was on the hour when Senegal were awarded a penalty for handball, only for it to be overturned after a VAR review.
Ismaila Sarr’s cross was blasted straight at Adlene Guedioura’s arm, referee Neant Alioum pointed to the spot, but just as the Senegal players started celebrating the decision, he quickly indicated a VAR review was underway.
When the replay showed Guedioura’s arm was by his side, the decision was correctly reversed.
After that Senegal kept pushing and the threatening Niang rounded M’Bohli but couldn’t direct his shot on target before Sabaly tried his luck from long range.
Algeria would not be denied.
While this was far from their finest performance in the tournament, it was their finest hour.
They were a modern team playing with intensity and fluidity, interchanging position frequently, which is why the North Africans are worthy champions.
Key statistics
The goal was the fastest scored in the competition since 2015.
Ismael Bennacer has been named player of the tournament.
The 21-year-old assisted the winning goal in the final and generally excelled throughout in the midfield, playing in every single game.
Algeria have won six of their last seven AFCON matches.
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Algeria have kept clean sheets in five of their last seven AFCON matches.
Senegal have lost four of their last five matches against Algeria (all competitions).
This was their second meeting of the 2019 African Cup of Nations – Youcef Belaili got the only goal of the game as Algeria nullified every threat posed by Senegal in their group stage clash.
Senegal and Algeria have now faced each other 23 times and it’s the Desert Foxes who have the superior record winning 14 and only losing four.
Algeria have a 5-2 advantage with two draws from nine previous matches against Senegal.
Both managers in the final – Djamel Belmadi and Aliou Cisse – grew up in the same town, Champigny-sur-Marne, just outside Paris.
This was only the fifth Africa Cup of Nations final to have two African head coaches – and the first since 1998.
What’s next?
The African Nations Championship is the next action for both these sides.
In September, Algeria will host Morocco before the second leg of their first round tie a month later.
Likewise, Senegal have a two-legged first round tie to contest but that is next week and on August 2 against Liberia.
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