Tunisia beat Algeria in North African derby

Tunisia won the bragging right over Algeria after winning 2-1 in Group B second fixtures on Thursday in the ongoing AFCON championship in Gabon.

All the three goals came in the second half – it was Tunisia who took a two goal lead courtesy Aissa Mandi’s own goal and Naim Sliti’s spot kick, but Sofiane Hanni reduced the deficit for Algeria.

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It was really a North African derby as Tunisia were forced to defend deep due to the swift play of Algeria.

On three occasions Algeria led by their talisman Riyad Mahrez came close to fetching the opener but Mathlouthi proved why he is the number one shot stopper for the two-time African champions.

First, Mathlouthi parried away power header from Islam Slimani, he then palmed off a 20 yard strike from Slimani and then left his foot behind to block Mahrez’s point blank shot.

Algeria continued to press but The Carthage Eagles defended well to keep the scoreline goalless at half time.

Tunisia in the second half improved their performance and in their first attack – they broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Aissa Mandi redirected Ghezzal’s cross into his own net.

Algeria then besieged the goal area of Tunisia in search of the equalizer, and in the 60 minute against the round of play Nabil Bentaleb brought down Ahmed Akaichi in the penalty box after he failed to clear his line, Naim Sliti stepped forward to send Asselah the wrong way to make it 2-0 for Tunisia.

With defeat starring at the faces of Algeria, they went all gun blazing firing from angles which they reduced the deficit with two minutes left on the clock through Hanni’s strike, but it wasn’t enough as Tunisia won the game by two goals to one.