Algerian coach Madjid Bougherra showed confidence in his team every time he spoke to the media during the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021. He would say: “Winning the title is our only goal, and we know we can do it.”
The Desert Warriors proved their coach right by sealing the title eventually, beating Tunisia 2-0 in a thrilling final in extra time to clinch their maiden crown at the stunning Al Bayt Stadium.
The majority of 60,456 spectators, who attended the final, were Tunisian fans but the Algerians were well equipped to face the pressure after they defeated home team Qatar in a pulsating semi-final.
After the eventful but goalless regulation time, substitute Amir Sayoud gave Algeria the lead in the 99th minute before captain Yacine Brahimi (120+5) sealed the title, netting into an open goal.
It was a fourth consecutive high-pressure match for the reigning African champions, who showed great stamina and strength to come out of it with success. They received $5m for winning the title, while runners-up Tunisia claimed $3m.
“I am proud of my players’ achievement,” Bougherra said after winning the final yesterday.
“I said before the tournament if you want to claim the title, you have to beat the topflight teams,” the Algerian coach added.
“I want to dedicate this title to the Algerian people,” said Sayoud, who was named best player of the final for his goal in extra time.
“I missed other scoring chances, but I finally managed to find the net to give the victory to my team,” he added.
In a pre-match press conference on Friday, Bougherra predicted the final would be like the quarter-final against Morocco where they won on penalties, but Sayoud, who came off the bench in the 65th minute, didn’t let the game stretch more, smashing a brilliant hit from outside the box after getting a clever delivery from striker Baghdad Bounedjah.
It was such a super strike from the substitute that Tunisian goalkeeper Mouez Hassen didn’t even attempt to block as he had no chance.
Tunisia created several chances after conceding, but they were missing the execution, which was their problem throughout the final.
When Hassen – desperate for an equaliser – left the goal, Djamel Benlamri assisted an unmarked Brahimi, who scored a last-gasp goal as Algerian players and officials erupted in jubilation after winning a historic title.
The Tunisians will rue a 90th-minute golden opportunity from their Golden Boot winner Seifeddine Jaziri, who missed the target from a good position after receiving a through ball from captain Youssef Msakni.
Jaziri ended up with four goals in the tournament.
Earlier, Algeria, who remained unbeaten in the tournament, entered the pitch as favourites, with Bougherra lining up his usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Raïs M’Bolhi in goal.
But the Eagles of Carthage were dominant in the first 20 minutes of the opening session before the Desert Warriors started their attacks. Fouls and breaks marred the first half, which saw five players from both the North African sides booked for rash tackles.
Algeria escaped a penalty after wing-back Ilyes Cheti clipped Tunisian midfielder Hannibal Mejbri in the box. However, the video assistant referee ruled out any possible chance of a penalty kick.
Mondher Kebaier-coached Tunisia looked the better side before Algeria started to dominate, and Bounedjah fired a perfect cross finding Tayeb Meziani, but he missed the target.
Algeria’s semi-final hero Youcef Belaili set up Brahimi, but the captain didn’t find space in the Tunisian defense. Tunisia had 55 percent of ball possession in the first half, though Algeria took five shots on target.
A few minutes into the second half, Algeria looked for a penalty, but VAR showed Tunisian defender Ghaylène Chaalali just touched a shoulder.
The African champions were more aggressive as the match progressed, while Tunisia was looking for counter-attacks opportunities.
They appealed for a penalty when Mohamed Drager was upended in the box, but the German referee Daniel Siebert turned down the appeal before Jaziri unbelievably smashed his shot wide in the last minute, taking the contest into extra time.
Both sessions in extra-time saw several exchanges of attacks from both the teams before the Desert Warriors broke the deadlock through their super sub.
Algeria had seven shots on target from their 19 attempts, while Tunisia, who enjoyed a better ball possession, were on target three times.
SPECIAL AWARDS
FIFA Fair Play Award
Team Morocco
Golden Ball
Yacine Brahimi (Algeria)
Silver Ball
Youcef Belaïli (Algeria)
Bronze Ball
Akram Afif (Qatar)
Golden Boot
Seifeddine Jaziri (Tunisia)
Silver Boot
Yacine Brahimi (Algeria)
Bronze Boot
Yazan Al Naimat (Jordan)
Golden Glove
Raïs M'Bolhi (Algeria)
