Algeria booked their place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday after captain Riyad Mahrez scored the decisive goal in a narrow 1–0 victory over Burkina Faso in Rabat.
The Desert Foxes sealed qualification from Group E with a second consecutive win, maintaining a perfect start to the tournament.
Mahrez converted a first-half penalty at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, a goal that proved enough to secure all three points in a tense and physically demanding encounter.
The spot kick was awarded in the 23rd minute after Rayan Aït-Nouri was fouled inside the penalty area.
Mahrez showed composure from the spot, adding to the two goals he scored in Algeria’s opening 3–0 win over Sudan.
The strike took his tally at the tournament to three goals and marked his ninth overall at the Africa Cup of Nations, making him Algeria’s highest scorer in the competition’s history.
Algeria, champions of Africa in 1990 and 2019, now sit comfortably atop Group E with six points from two matches and are yet to concede a goal.
With Burkina Faso and Sudan both on three points and set to face each other in the final group game, Algeria are assured of finishing first regardless of the outcome of their last fixture against Equatorial Guinea, who remain without a point.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic’s side will therefore play their round-of-16 match in Rabat on January 6, having lived up to expectations as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
The contest against Burkina Faso was fiercely contested, with both teams engaging in robust midfield battles.
Algeria had to defend resolutely for long periods, particularly in the second half, as the Stallions pressed for an equaliser.
Burkina Faso came close through Pierre Landry Kabore, whose header from a corner narrowly missed the target, while substitute Georgi Minoungou fired just over late in the game.
Algeria also had chances to extend their lead, with Ibrahim Maza failing to convert two promising openings after the break.
Despite the missed opportunities, the North Africans held firm to secure the win.
Speaking after the match, Maza, who was named man of the match, described the game as physically demanding but praised his team’s determination.
He said qualification for the knockout stage was the primary objective and expressed satisfaction that the team had achieved it with a game to spare.
The match was played in front of a lively crowd of 18,522, dominated by Algerian supporters.
Among those in attendance was former France and Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane, who watched his son Luca feature in goal for Algeria for the second consecutive match.
For Algeria, the victory also marked a measure of revenge after their 2–2 draw with Burkina Faso at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, a result that contributed to their early exit.
This time, Mahrez’s calm from the penalty spot ensured a different outcome and confirmed Algeria’s status as serious contenders for the title.
