AFCON: Algeria complete perfect group stage run against Equatorial Guinea

Algeria will enter the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in strong form after Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea completed a perfect run through Group E.

A dominant first half was enough for Les Verts to make it three wins from three matches at the Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat. Zineddine Belaid, Fares Chaibi and Ibrahim Maza all scored in the first half for the North Africans before Emilio Nsue pulled a goal back early in the second half for Equatorial Guinea.

Equatorial Guinea, after defeats in each of their first two matches, needed a victory to have any chance of advancing but those hopes were swiftly extinguished. In the 19th minute, the first blow was struck when Anis Hadj Moussa’s corner kick found Belaid for a header past Nzalang Nzalang goalkeeper Jesús Owono.

And the opening goal began a rapid collapse for Equatorial Guinea. Six minutes later, Maza’s pass sent in Chaibi on the left wing and the Eintracht Frankfurt player cut inside past a defender before firing past Owono. A devastating thirteen minute stretch was complete in the 32nd minute when Maza headed in from Hadj Moussa’s cross.

Equatorial Guinea rallied after halftime to make the score respectable. Less than five minutes into the second half, Nsue received a pass on the right wing from Álex Balboa and fired in a stunning strike from distance to provide at least a moment of joy for Nzalang supporters.

The match stabilized from that point on with few opportunities for either team. Algeria, already confirmed winners of Group E before Wednesday’s clash, will face DR Congo in the Round of 16 for a highly anticipated clash on January 6 in Rabat.