Algeria (National Football)

Algeria crowned themselves champions of Africa on Saturday, beating Senegal 1-0 during the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Baghdad Bounedjah opened the scoring in less than two minutes with a deflected effort, and the Desert Foxes expertly defended their lead in the first half, barely giving away any chances. Senegal improved after the break, but Algeria's defensive strength won out.

The final was a rematch of their group-stage clash, which Algeria won 1-0. It's Algeria's second title, after the 1990 triumph.

Algeria had the perfect start to the contest, and a lucky bounce gave them the lead inside the first 80 seconds. Bounedjah's shot took the strangest deflection, looping over goalkeeper Alfred Gomis and into the net.

He picked a great time to rediscover his shooting boots:

The massive setback shocked Senegal, who needed some time to recover and start building momentum. Sadio Mane was predictably at the heart of their attacks, but he was surrounded by three players whenever he came near the ball.

M'Baye Niang was the main danger man, and he went close on two occasions. The first shot was saved by Rais M'Bolhi, but it was the second effort that really worried the Desert Foxes, narrowly missing the target.

Chances were rare, but what the match lacked in openings, it made up for in drama. Shortly before the half-time whistle blew, Mehdi Zeffane made contact with Ismaila Sarr, but no penalty was given.

Sportswriter Tomas Danicek thought the defender got lucky:

And the drama didn't end there. As the teams made their way to the sidelines for half-time, the sides clashed, with officials quick to intervene.

Algeria's defensive fortitude continued to be on full display early in the second half, although Mane finally found some space for his first dangerous shot after 57 minutes. 

And just three minutes later, the video assistant provided the next bit of drama. Senegal were awarded a penalty for an apparent hand ball after Sarr's cross, but the VAR overturned the decision. This fan was ecstatic:

Niang wasted a rare good chance, taking the ball too wide as he rounded the goalkeeper and firing into the side netting. Youssouf Sabaly also tried his luck, but M'Bolhi made an excellent save.

Senegal gambled late by bringing on Keita Balde, but Algeria did a fine job controlling the pace in the final minutes. Riyad Mahrez played a key role by drawing several fouls, making up for some struggles in the first half.

Riyad Mahrez didn't take long to impose himself on the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, as he scored a lovely goal just 12 minutes into Algeria's opening fixture against Zimbabwe.

Receiving the ball from Islam Slimani on the right-hand side, the Leicester City man dribbled into the box before working the ball on to his left foot and whipping a trademark finish into the far corner via the inside of the post.

Zimbabwe then scored twice to turn the game on it's head, before Mahrez rescued a point for Algeria with a late equaliser.

[Twitter]

Il gol stratosferico di #Taider in #Algeria-#Etiopia pic.twitter.com/IbuBzlE18o

— Daniele Mari (@danmari83) March 26, 2016

Looks like Riyad Mahrez's golden touch is rubbing off on his international team-mates.

The Leicester City forward was in Algeria on Friday, representing his country in an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia.

Mahrez didn't make the scoresheet himself in the 7-1 demolition, but he did provide a pinpoint assist for Saphir Taider to score a stunning volley.

With 74 minutes played and Algeria already 4-0 to the good, Mahrez pinged an inventive corner to the waiting Taider on the edge of the box.

The cross was perfect and the volley did it total justice, as Taider smashed a brilliant first-time strike past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Boom.

[Twitter]

Former Algeria head coach Vahid Halilhodzic has revealed he was accused of taking money when he picked Riyad Mahrez in his squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Mahrez has been a revelation in the Premier League this season, scoring 14 goals and setting up another 10, but he was a relative unknown when called up for his country in 2014.

Halilhodzic, who is now leading the Japanese national team, recalled to Goal.com the criticism he took at the time:

I first heard Riyad's name when ex-coach Christophe Delmotte told me there was an interesting Algerian lad at Le Havre. He didn't play much there but he caught my attention. You could see he was one hell of a technician — he controls the ball brilliantly. 

He moved to Leicester soon after and started playing off the bench. I saw quality. He was technically superior and a sophisticated dribbler, but he had no power. Still, I saw his potential and invited him to the World Cup. I cannot describe what I experience from the Algerian media after that. There was no common sense in their criticism – some even claimed I took money from Riyad to take him to the World Cup.

Mahrez joined Leicester City in January 2014 and has since made a huge impact, playing an integral role in the Foxes' stunning climb to the top of the Premier League. 

"Of course, he was not at the level he is today, but it doesn't surprise me how good he is in the Premier League," continued Halilhodzic. "He's the kind of player that makes a difference. A modern, fantastic player. I knew I didn't make a mistake in calling him up."

[h/t Goal.com]

Vahid Halilhodzic has vowed to "never forget nor forgive" the actions of certain press members upon the announcement that he will step down as Algeria boss.

Although Halilhodzic remained largely positive in his final address, he took a swipe at those who have invaded his life during his three-year tenure, reported in an official statement on the Algerian Football Federation's website and translated by the Press Association via The Guardian:

The only sour note, which I want to confront, is the behaviour of certain—though thankfully not all—members of the press, who never ceased to stigmatise not only my work but also me and my family. I will never forget nor forgive that.

Halilhodzic thanked President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal of Algeria for their support, while he also singled out Algerian Football Federation President Mohamed Raouraoua for his encouragement during an extremely successfully spell with the Fennec Foxes.

The 61-year-old took time to show his appreciation toward the "wonderful Algerian public," as well as his players and staff. Maher Mezahi, Algerian football correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, sums up the popularity of a man who many wanted to remain in the job:

Halilhodzic bows out after a fantastic 2014 World Cup campaign with the African side. Algeria took the lead and put up a real fight before losing 2-1 to a much-fancied Belgium team in Brazil, before tearing through South Korea 4-2 and drawing 1-1 with Russia.

This set up a round-of-16 tie with Germany, who relied on extra-time goals from Andre Schurrle and Mesut Ozil to progress beyond Abdelmoumene Djabou's late consolation.

After taking over on July 1, 2011, Halilhodzic won 19, drew five and lost seven of 31 matches in total, recorded by Soccerway.

Perhaps more impressive than his record, the outgoing manager drilled Algeria into playing fast-paced, ambitious and expansive football. His side showed real guts throughout the World Cup, but also highlighted their quality with some excellent passages of play.

The likes of Yacine Brahimi, Sofiane Feghouli and Islam Slimani are sure to have gained many new admirers after the tournament, while the defensive display of Rafik Halliche should be noted. Rais M'Bolhi, the side's acrobatic goalkeeper, also posted a fine showing at the South American showpiece.

Aside from the press' invasion into Halilhodzic's life, Ben Lyttleton of The Guardian believes there may be another reason for the coach's departure:

BBC Sport pinpoints Halilhodzic's inability to dismiss "the lure of a new sporting challenge," ensuring he is likely to pop up elsewhere soon.

It's easy to see why both the Algerian presidency and fans wanted their outgoing leader to remain in charge. Halilhodzic's players put everything on the line for their boss during a tricky run of World Cup matches. They believed in his philosophy and applied it with the utmost respect.

The incoming boss, whoever it may be, faces an extremely difficult challenge to replicate such a feat.

Algeria may have bowed out against Germany following a 2-1 extra-time defeat, but there are few national sides who have impressed more at this summer’s World Cup. In fact, are there any who have overachieved more in comparison to their pre-tournament expectations than the Fennecs?

Admittedly, this was down to, in no small part, overly pessimistic pre-tournament expectations for the Desert Foxes on behalf of many pundits. None of Bleacher Report's experts, for example, backed Algeria to escape from their World Cup group.

These predictions appeared to ignore some of the realities of the current Algeria set-up, as outlined by myself here, and were too entrenched in the failures of more distant times. To an extent, this was understandable.

Their last World Cup showing, in 2010, was obdurate, but lacking in quality, their Cup of Nations display only 18 months ago was dire, while their 3-2 defeat at the hands of Burkina Faso in their CAF World Cup qualification first leg had little about it to suggest that they would make the last 16.

It is, therefore, to the great credit of Vahid Halilhodzic that Algeria have managed to take the place of many people's World Cup darlings this summer. In an African context, the Desert Foxes’ performances, in contrast to those of the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Cameroon, have been a breath of fresh air.

All three, and Nigeria, would do well to take note of Halilhodzic’s work at the helm of the North Africans.

There are certainly lessons to be learned.

As alluded to above, it is important to place Algeria’s performance within the context of the side’s struggles over the last four years.

At the 2010 World Cup, they were one of only two teams (along with Honduras) not to register during the competition. They were eliminated with one point, zero goals and without having made any tangible contribution to the tournament.

Eighteen months ago, at the 2013 Cup of Nations, they were pooled in a tricky group alongside North African rivals Tunisia, Togo and continental giants the Ivory Coast. A taxing pool, certainly, but the Desert Foxes didn’t equip themselves well and were dumped out after two games.

Notably, they were, once again, eliminated without having scored a goal. It was only in the final group game, the dead rubber against the Elephants, that they found the net.

Halilhodzic kept his job (just) after the dismal Cup of Nations showing and set about rewarding the Algerian people for their faith in him. Over the next 18 months (until the match against Germany), the Desert Foxes lost as many games (only two) as they had done in their opening two games at the Cup of Nations.

Halilhodzic was ruthless and, as Rabah Saadane had done four years beforehand, set about renovating the side.

Of the 14 players who featured in the Desert Foxes' decisive CAF World Cup play-off second-leg victory over Burkina Faso, six hadn’t even been named in the Cup of Nations squad.

Of the squad chosen for the first leg, when Algeria were defeated 3-2, a further six weren’t called up for the World Cup.

Of those Algerian players who featured in Brazil, three (Nabil Bentaleb, Aissa Mandi and Riyad Mahrez) had only made their debuts in the preceding few months.

Halilhodzic proved himself neither scared to mix things up, nor afraid to cast his net further afield for players who could improve the team.

He also turned to youth.

I wrote this about the squad in my Bleacher Report Algeria Team Guide:

In the past, the side have suffered from imbalances, have been packed with defensive players and have often struggled for creativity.

The recent squad additions of Faouzi Ghoulam, Aissa Mandi, Saphir Taider, Nabil Bentaleb and Yacine Brahimi have gone some way to changing this. None of those listed have more than nine caps, however, and their true benefit may come after this summer.

While the latter caveat may still ring true, these players and others proved that they were ready to step up this summer.

Such an approach comes in stark contrast to Ghana and the Ivory Coast, for example, who have become weighed down by the burden of underperforming veterans and have failed to harness a wider pool of talent, respectively.

Halilhodzic’s meritocracy has increased competition for places and improved the performance of individuals. Bentaleb, Mandi and Ghoulam have proved that if you are good enough and if you are the right man for the occasion, you will get your chance.

The manager recognised the areas of weakness in Algeria’s side and set about addressing them, both by assessing new options and by experimenting with the options he had.

The Fennecs were transformed from a side that had failed to score in two games against Togo and Tunisia at the 2013 Cup of Nations to one that scored against Belgium, Germany and Russia, and spanked South Korea 4-2. No one could have guessed, back in the dirge of 2010 or the lethargy of early 2013, that Algeria would become the first ever African nation to bag four goals in a World Cup match.

What impressed me most about Halilhodzic during the World Cup was the ability with which he manipulated the resources available to him and the way he employed various strategies and personnel to face specific challenges.

Of the 20 outfield players to have travelled to Brazil, only one—centre-back Liassine Cadamuro—didn’t see a minute of action. Only one outfield player (Sofiane Feghouli) played the full 90 minutes in each of Algeria’s four matches, while only one other, Rafik Halliche, started all four matches.

This is quite remarkable, particularly when contrasted to the other African nations.

Seven players started all three of Ghana’s games, and it surely would have been eight had Sulley Muntari not been suspended and sent home.

Eight players started all four of Nigeria’s games, with six of them playing the 90 minutes on each occasion.

For the Ivory Coast, again, eight players started all three games.

Algeria only had two.

Naturally, this statistic could go either way. Had the Desert Foxes bombed out of the tournament, then Halilhodzic might have been accused of “not knowing his first eleven,” of disrupting the team with excessive changes and of a muddled approach in Brazil.

This would simply be a wrong reading of the situation, however. The manager has cultivated a squad shorn of egos, where (almost) all of the outfield players stand on even footing—20 specialists who are totally committed to the team ethic and the good of the collective.

One left-back may be used for one situation, for example, while another might be a better bet for a different type of match.

It is an approach that Halilhodzic has perfected and, uncomfortably, comes in stark contrast to some of his peers across the continent. Stephen Keshi, for example, threw on the thoroughly untested pair of Reuben Gabriel (for the injured Ogenyi Onazi) and Uche Nwofor against France as he attempted to overcome the European giants.

Gabriel, who was released by Kilmarnock earlier this year, hadn’t played a minute for the Super Eagles in the 18 months preceding the pre-tournament friendlies.

Nwofor may have scored three goals in his seven full international appearances to date, but he has never started a match for the Super Eagles and was ignored by Keshi as the Super Eagles chased a goal against Iran.

Similarly, there would be none of the furore and dismay that surrounded left-back Elderson Echiejile’s tournament-ending injury were Faouzi Ghoulam or Djamel Mesbah to pick up a knock.

Halilhodzic’s method gives a side options, it gives them a collective spirit and it reduces any potential player power by making (almost) all of the players expendable and easily replaceable components.

While the players of Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria set about calling presidents, boycotting matches and missing training, Vahid’s Algeria worked selflessly for each other and, ultimately, made history.

If revenge is a dish best served cold, then the World Cup has made a specialty of chilled retribution.

In 2002, the tournament afforded England the chance to seek immediate vengeance upon Argentina for the Albiceleste’s controversial victory over the Three Lions four years previously.

More recently, the United States will surely have enjoyed their decisive Group G victory over Ghana, having been eliminated by the Black Stars in 2006 (indirectly) and 2010 (directly).

What the West Africans would have given for the chance to gain a measure of revenge against Uruguay for the Celeste’s late, controversial triumph in the 2010 quarter-final.

Among the world’s top international sides, chances of retribution come along fairly regularly due to regular meetings at major tournaments. France and Italy, for example, met each other in 1998, 2000, 2006 and 2008.

For transcontinental rivalries, however, opportunities are fewer and farther between.

Algerians must have doubted that they would ever get the chance to exact revenge for their painful elimination of 1982.

In the Desert Foxes’ first-ever World Cup, they were drawn in a taxing group with West Germany, Austria and Chile.

Things started spectacularly, however, with a match against the European Champions. Algeria took an unlikely lead through Rabah Madjer, arguably the nation’s best player ever, but came unstuck less than 15 minutes later after Karl-Heinz Rummenigge drew West Germany level.

At that point, there seemed to be only one winner, but the Germans weren’t counting on the genius of Lakhdar Belloumi. The talented playmaker fired home at the far post following a delightful cross from Salah Assad.

Victory over West Germany was the finest hour for one of the most talented sides to ever emerge from the African continent. However, it was a team destined to remain forever unfulfilled on the international stage.

After losing to Austria in their second game, they beat Chile 3-2 before settling down to watch West Germany and the Austrians contest the group’s final match in Gijon.

The game was to be remembered as one of the most infamous in World Cup history and one of the darkest days since the competition’s inception.

Knowing that a 1-0 victory for the Germans would see both teams through, the two sides essentially stopped playing once Horst Hrubesch scored inside the first 10 minutes. For the rest of the match, the teams essentially kept hold of the ball, passing it around aimlessly, standing off and waiting until the final whistle, when both would be confirmed in the next round.

Despite finishing the group stage with four points following two wins and one defeat, Algeria were out.

National team officials protested after the farcical contest, insisting that the match had been fixed and that there was evident collusion between the European neighbours, but nothing could be proven and the North Africans were heading home.

It didn’t help Algeria much, but the legacy of the “Disgrace of Gijon” was that from that summer onward, the final World Cup group-stage fixtures would be played simultaneously.

There were shadows of Gijon earlier in the tournament at the culmination of Group G, when Germany (the usual suspects) and the United States would both have progressed with a tie. In this case, the Mannschaft sought the victory, but it wouldn’t be long before talk of Gijon reared its ugly head once again.

This is because revenge might just be on the horizon.

In drawing 1-1 with Russia in Group H’s final match in Curitiba, Algeria confirmed their place in the round of 16.

It is the first time the North Africans have made it to the knockout stages, and following Nigeria’s progression from Group F, the 2014 World Cup represents the first time that two of Africa’s representatives have escaped from the group stage.

By a wonderful quirk of fate, escape from Group H has thrown Algeria into the lap of the Germans. They are different these days, of course: The "West" and the Wall have disappeared, but the animosity lingers and certainly wasn’t forgotten by the throngs of cheering Algerian fans in London, Paris and Algiers, as well as across the Arab world.

Manager Vahid Halilhodzic, who deserves great credit for transforming the side, acknowledged the history of the match after Algeria’s qualification was secured.

Speaking to the media, the manager said (via BBC Sport): "Thirty-two years ago is a long time. I am very proud of what we have achieved tonight and we deserve to be here.

"I think Algeria played a heroic match and our qualification for the second round is perfectly deserved."

He went on to admit, however, that he could understand the enmity: "We have not forgotten. Everybody has been talking about Algeria and Germany from 1982."

And it’s possible that revenge could be on the cards when these unlikely enemies meet in Porto Alegre on Monday evening.

Germany were impressive against Portugal, with the caveat that the Selecao were down to 10 men for a large portion of the match, but they were exposed against Ghana. The Black Stars scored twice and managed to exploit Joachim Low’s side both for their lack of a natural left-back and the limitations of Per Mertesacker at centre-back.

Could Algeria manage a similar feat in the last 16?

The Fennecs are resolute in defence, boast mobility and diversity in the centre of midfield and can be direct and ruthless in attack.

In each of their three group-stage matches, the Algerians demonstrated a different quality. Against Belgium, they were incredibly resilient. Against South Korea they were savage and devastating in offensive areas. And against Russia in the final group game, they demonstrated an admirable capacity to manage a match and see off Fabio Capello’s side.

Algeria will be overwhelming favourites to fall at the next hurdle, but they have shown enough in their three games to date to suggest that they can at least trouble the Germans.

The motivation of a reunion with Germany and a chance to avenge Gijon could well spur Algeria on. The prospect of becoming only the fourth African side to ever reach the quarter-final will surely be an overwhelming incentive for a collection of players keen to emulate Madjer, Belloumi and Co.

Finally, should France beat Nigeria in Monday’s earlier last-16 match, Algeria would be playing for a chance to face their old enemies in the quarter-final.

They don’t come any bigger than that, and the World Cup might just be set to revert to its favourite appetiser once more.