Riyad Mahrez struck his third goal in two matches at the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring from the penalty spot as Algeria beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in Rabat to reach the last 16.
The 2019 champions ended a run of two consecutive group-stage exits courtesy of Mahrez’s cool first-half strike, converting after Ismahila Ouedraogo’s clumsy challenge.
Former Manchester City winger Mahrez, who scored twice in Les Fennecs’ opening 3-0 win over Sudan, dispatched his effort low into the corner, leaving goalkeeper Herve Koffi rooted to the spot.
Burkina Faso responded positively, with Pierre Kabore twice threatening an equaliser before the interval.
The Stallions continued to press after the break but did not manage an attempt on target until the 82nd minute, while Koffi was often called into action at the other end, producing a string of fine saves to thwart Algeria’s rapid counter-attacks.
The result leaves the North Africans top of Group E on six points, with Burkina Faso and Sudan tied on three points after the Falcons of Jediane’s 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea earlier on Sunday – a result that means the Equatoguineans are eliminated.
All four teams will play their final group-stage games on Wednesday (16:00 GMT), when Algeria take on Equatorial Guinea in Rabat and Burkina Faso meet Sudan in Casablanca.
