Last meeting of the international truce for Algeria with a perilous trip to Tunisian lands. Authors of an exceptional first half and a very serious second, the Greens won against the Carthage Eagles (0-2) and set a new unbeaten record in Africa, 27 games without defeat.
Friendly
Tunis – Stade de Rades
Tunisia 0-2 Algeria
Bounedjah (19′), Mahrez (27′)
Bronn (26′), Khazri (41′), Drager (90’+3′) – Atal (58′), Belaili (73′), Benlamri (77′), Guedioura (82′, 87′), Mahrez ( 85′)
Guedioura (87´)
Algeria : 23-M’Bolhi – 21-Bensebaini, 4-Benlamri, 2-Mandi, 20-Atal – 12-Belkebla, 26-Zerrouki (17-Guedioura 82´), 10-Feghouli (17-Abeid 90′) – 8 -Belaili (28-Ghezzal 90’+1′), 9-Bounedjah (13-Slimani 60′), 7-Mahrez (c) (11-Ounas 82′) / Entr. : Belmadi
Tunisia : 40-Hassen, 5-Haddadi (12-Maâloul 46′), 4-Meriah, 6-Bronn (3-Talbi 61′), 20 Drager – 17-Skhiri, 28-Laidouni – 23-Sliti (14-Mejbri 78) ‘), 15-Ben Ramdhane (24-Rafia 46′), 25-Slimane (8-Khaoui 61’) – 10-Khazri (c) / Entr. : Kbair
Djamel Belmadi had announced it, the Greens took extremely seriously the friendly meeting which opposed them, this evening, to Tunisia within the Olympic Stadium of Radès. The composition of the coach had everything of the typical team of the moment, with Raïs M’Bolhi in the cages, Youcef Atal on the right, a central hinge Djamel benlamri – Aïssa Mandi, to the left Rama Bensebaïni, a midfielder Haris Belkebla – Sofiane feghouli – Ramiz Zerrouki and an offensive trident composed of Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah and Youcef Belaïli.
A sparkling first half
The Algerians’ first half amazed everyone, starting with a Tunisian team that seemed totally overwhelmed. Intense pressing, lightning attacks, an extremely domineering midfielder, this is the recipe for a first period where the multiplication of faults seemed to be the only way to compete for the Eagles of Carthage.
Despite these Tunisian attempts to chop the game, Algeria got plenty of chances thanks to an absolutely sparkling Sofiane Feghouli, an omnipresent Ramiz Zerrouki and an attacking trio Belaïli – Mahrez – Bounedjah player and very involved. Thus, a first goal was scored by Baghad Bounedjah in the 19th minute, who benefited from a new assist from Youcef Belaïli (and the header!) Following a free kick quickly played by Djamel Benlamri (0-1).
Goaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal Bounedjah on an assist from Belaïli.
The Oran duo have struck again #TeamDz #TUNALG pic.twitter.com/tOUCmiy1m9— Ishaq Chebli (@IshaqChebli) June 11, 2021
The Algerians should have see their opponent reduced to 10, Dylan Bronn being the author of a fault on Sofiane Feghouli left alone on goal. Last defender and annihilation of a goal action, these are two legitimate reasons for rouge. The Greens were not demotivated however since, on the free kick awarded on this action, Riyad Mahrez extended his status as a legend of Algerian football a little more by taking advantage of a mischievous discount from Youcef Belaïli (author of his second assist) to register a kind of free kick in two stages (0-2).
????????⚽️ Goaaal Riyad Mahrez! 2-0 for Algeria #TeamDZ pic.twitter.com/oKQaPdpJOi
— DZfoot English ????????⚽️ (@DZfoot_EN) June 11, 2021
If the Tunisians then claimed, wrongly, a penalty on a shoulder of Baghdad Bounedjah, the debates were a little more balanced and Wahbi khazri tried himself on a strike from afar on which Raïs M’Bolhi interposed serenely. This defensive serenity could have been called into question a few minutes before, Djamel Benlamri being guilty of a somewhat soft handover on his goalkeeper who could have faulted Khazri if M’Bolhi had come out a little more firmly.
A more balanced second half
At the break, of course, Tunisia sought to remobilize. With the entry of Maaloul, offensive left side, and Rafia, more midfielder, the Carthage Eagles started the second period on the hats of the wheel and if they tried their luck, mainly from afar, Raïs M’Bolhi was once again reassuring and serene.
The dormitory is growing for Riyad Mahrez! #TeamDZ #TUNALG
(Found on FB) pic.twitter.com/DDZHEYPrKb
– DZfoot (@DZfoot) June 11, 2021
The first big red storm passed, the debates were balanced and Algeria gradually regained its binder, taking advantage of a Ramiz Zerrouki systematically present to break the Tunisian pass lines. At the 60th minute, it’s a Baghdad Bounedjah limping and visibly in pain who gave way to Islam Slimani, who immediately distinguished himself by a dangerous call but well anticipated by Mouez Hassen, the goalkeeper of Tunisia. It was then a very open match that was disputed, with M’Bolhi who intervenes on a Tunisian counter then Riyad Mahrez who does not shift soon enough a Youcef Belaïli who was about to leave on goal.
Two new changes took place for Mondher Kebaier, who sought to score at all costs, and Djamel Benlamri who trusted his players on the pitch. Not much more happened until the 78th and a valuable intervention from the defense. Adlène Guedioura replaces Ramiz Zerrouki, Adam Ounas takes the place of Youcef Belaïli.
Djamel Benlamri facing Khazri ✖️✖️ #TeamDz #TUNALG pic.twitter.com/vmNwdt1tPo
— Ishaq Chebli (@IshaqChebli) June 11, 2021
The end of the meeting was overall wasted by the aggressiveness of both teams, although Tunisia appeared to be the source of the physical challenge in the first half. Raïs M’Bolhi is reassuring again on a volley. The referee of the meeting seemed to lose track of the match and increased the yellows, especially for Adlène Guedioura (only 30 seconds after coming into play) or for Riyad Mahrez. Adlène Guedioura then collected a second yellow, thus playing only 6 minutes in this match.
In the 90th minute, Riyad Mahrez, exhausted after a (very) long season, gave way to Rachid Ghezzal, ceding his captain’s armband to Islam Slimani, while Sofiane Feghouli was replaced by Mehdi Abeid. Finally, nothing will happen in this second half marred by too high a number of faults. Victory of the Algerians 0-2 on Tunisian soil, 27 matches without defeat and African record officially broken, 3 victories in as many games for this truce in June, 7 goals scored for only one conceded on a recovery error. These are serious reasons to go on vacation with a smile!
DZfoot
