Algeria, the defending champion, was eliminated from the African Nations Cup in Cameroon from the group stage, after a harsh 3-1 loss against Ivory Coast on Thursday.
Algeria, bottom of Group E, missed a penalty kick and made another attempt at the post, and the Ivory Coast goalkeeper saved a dangerous attempt by Islam Slimani.
Ivory Coast qualified at the top of the group.
Ivory Coast took the lead in the 24th minute, after Nicolas Pepe penetrated the area from the right and then passed a wonderful ball to Frank Kessie in front of the goal, to hit it directly into the net to the right of the goalkeeper.
Ibrahim Sinjari doubled the lead in the 39th minute after Serge Aurier sent the ball into the area with a free kick, which Sinjari met with a powerful header.
The second goal for the national team of Côte d’Ivoire and the hopes of Algeria are complicated.#African Cup of Nations #Tonight #Algeria #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/dNODHIOyG3
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 20, 2022
Pepe scored the third goal in the 54th minute after he penetrated the area and hit the ball at the far right corner.
Algeria reduced the difference through Sofiane Ben Debka, who took advantage of a superb pass from Issa Mandi, and Ben Debka headed into the net.
The referee canceled two goals for the Ivory Coast, scored by Casey and Sebastian Aller, for offside.
Riyad Mahrez missed a penalty kick in the 59th minute after his shot hit the left post.
What is happening with the Algerian national team? 😱#African Cup of Nations #Tonight #Algeria #Côte d’Ivoire #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/qn7YtIovLH
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 20, 2022
And the Algerian team almost advanced in the 21st minute of the first half.
After a corner kick, the ball reached Ismail bin Nasser, who shot it directly, but it hit the right post and exited the field.
