Riyad Mahrez leads Algeria to Africa Cup of Nations 2019 final victory

Algeria have won their first Africa Cup of Nations since 1990. Baghdad Bounedjah’s heavily-deflected early goal gave them an privilege that, over the balance of the tournament, they deserve but this was no performance to remember them by. They proceeded to hold off a frustrated Senegal for the duration, barely attempting to force another chance and much less creating one.

Algeria had already beaten Senegal during the group stage of the competition, and victory never looked in doubt, with Sadio Mane and co. unable to ever test Rais M'Bolhi throughout.

They sat back and the first half turned into a scrappy, bad-tempered affair; Senegal won a number of set-pieces in dangerous areas, but the delivery was largely dire.

The Lions of Teranga thought they had been awarded a chance to equalise in the second period, when the referee awarded handball against Adlene Guedioura.

However, after checking with VAR, Neant Alioum reversed his decision.