Riyad Mahrez secures Algeria’s AFCON 2025 knockout stage spot with a decisive first-half penalty against Burkina Faso

Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez secured his team’s place in the knockout stage of the 1XBET Africa Cup of Nations after converting a first-half penalty in a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in a tense Group B clash in Morocco on Sunday.

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The decisive moment came in the 23rd minute when Burkina Faso’s Ismahila Ouedraogo was penalised for a foul in the box following a VAR review.

Mahrez calmly sent goalkeeper Hervé Koffi the wrong way, drilling the ball low into the corner to settle the fiercely contested encounter.

Burkina Faso responded with urgency, creating several clear chances through set-pieces and late surges. Lassina Traoré and Georgi Minoungou both came close to equalising, while Edmond Tapsoba repeatedly tested Algeria’s defence.

However, wasteful finishing and disciplined defending denied the Stallions any reward.

Algeria also had opportunities to extend their lead. Ibrahim Maza and Mohamed Amoura forced sharp saves from Koffi as coach Vladimir Petković managed the game with tactical substitutions to preserve the advantage.

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Despite Burkina Faso’s late push, the Desert Foxes held firm through four minutes of stoppage time, securing a crucial victory that guarantees progression to the knockout stage.