AFCON: Mahrez strikes twice as Algeria down 10-man Sudan

Group E favorites Algeria got off to a winning start on Wednesday at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with two goals from star Riyad Mahrez in a 3-0 victory over Sudan.

The talismanic playmaker opened the scoring inside two minutes for Les Verts, who took advantage of a first half red card to ease to victory. The Al Ahli Saudi star added his second goal shortly after the hour mark and substitute Ibrahim Maza added a late goal to confirm maximum points for one of the tournament favorites.

A dream start saw the North Africans pounce on the opposition inside ninety seconds. The Sudanese defense was left exposed by a pass to send Mohamed Amoura through on the left wing. The Wolfsburg forward crossed the ball low to find Hicham Boudaoui at the far post, who produced a backheel pass to give Mahrez plenty of time to curl his shot past Sudan keeper Monged Elneel.

The early goal caused the favorites to relax a bit and Sudan did create some danger through Mo Eisa and his brother Abo Eisa, who forced goalkeeper Luca Zidane into action with his famous father Zinedine in attendance. However, their efforts to move level were devastated when midfielder Salah Adel received a second yellow card and his marching orders close to halftime.

The Fennecs regained their focus at halftime and it was the captain who doubled his tally. Amoura produced a brillint early cross from the left wing with the outside of his right foot to find the former Manchester City star, who was left with a simple finish.

Maza added the final goal in the 85th minute after Baghdad Bounedjah nodded down a cross for the Bayer Leverkusen starlet. Les Verts will next look to stay perfect on Sunday in Group E when they face the winners from earlier on Wednesday, Burkina Faso. Sudan will next clash with Equatorial Guinea.