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Mabululu as a savior
While he did not start the match, he was one of the best Angolan players on the pitch on Monday, against Algeria (1-1). After a difficult first half for his team, he came on in place of Bruno Paz (40′). On the way back from the locker room, he was one of the Angolan players to sound the revolt and play with full confidence. While his teammates lacked realism in the final move, he managed to win and convert the equalising penalty (1-1, 67') after flirting the ball with the crossbar and the line. This is called winning coaching.
Read alsoAFCON: Algeria held to a draw by Angola
Belaïli with a baguette...
Even though he was replaced (67′ by Ounas), Youcef Belaïli was one of the most effective Algerians in this match. Striking from the start, he often played and won his duels, thus creating striking situations for himself. It took a great performance from the Angolan goalkeeper to keep the gap from growing before the break. It was also he who perfectly set up Baghdad Bounedjah for the Fennecs' opening goal (1-0, 19′). In the second half, like all his teammates, he was less prominent.
FLOPS
... Mahrez lost in his hat
Admittedly, the Fennecs have decided to concentrate their attacks on the left side of the pitch. However, the Algerian captain was absent from all the good moves. It wasn't until the end of the second half that the Al-Ahli striker won two free-kicks on the edge of the area. Far too little input for a player of his calibre. The question now arises as to whether he can find his legs to lead his team to the end as he was able to do in 2019.
A Jet Defense
Already lax in the first half, the Algerian defence was totally overwhelmed by the Angolan attacks. As if they were spectators, the Fennecs waited to see the opposing players leave behind them before starting to follow them. Just like the penalty won and converted by Mabululu (1-1, 67′), the whole defence had their eyes glued to the ball and no one saw the striker arrive to take the cross. Trying to cut off this pass, Bentaleb swept his opponent aside and the referee could only award a logical penalty. As a result of this, the Angolan forwards continued to wander through the Algerian defence. Luckily for the Fennecs, they (too) often lacked realism and precision in the final move, the score could turn to the advantage of the Palancas Negras at any time.