Algeria are champions of Africa for only the second time in history.
The Africa Cup of Nations has come to an end with the Desert Foxes claiming the title they last won 29 years ago.
A fortuitous goal from lone striker Baghdad Bounedjah in the second minute was all that was needed for the North Africans to defeat the Teranga Lions.
Soccernet x-rays how both set of players fared on the night.
Algeria
Rais M’Bolhi: Showed yet again why he’s the safest pair of hands at this tournament. His handling was superb and he was alert and focused throughout. Nothing thrown at him fazed him. 6.5
Mehdi Zeffane: Lucky not to concede a penalty off Sarr as the first 45 minutes drew to a close. Otherwise, he did well to help his team repel waves and waves of the Senegalese attacks. 6
Djamel Benlamri: Resolute at the back. He matched fine pisitioning with good shot blocking skills. When Mane got free in the box midway into the second half, he was on hand to take the sting off the Senegalese shot. 7
Aiss Mandi: Was flawless at the back, both on the ground and in the air. He shielded his goalkeeper well and was the reason Senegal rarely had a sniff at goal. 7
Ramy Bensebaini: Yellow carded midway into the first half for a cynical challenge, the left-back was lucky to escape a sending off minutes later after committing another silly foul. 6
Adlene Guedioura: It was always more graft than craft for the defensive midfielder but he did his job well screening the defense from danger. He was very lucky to not concede a penalty that the referee had given but which VAR overturned. 6.5
Ismael Bennacer: Claimed the assist that led to the opener and was at his industrious best for most part of the game. 7
Riyad Mahrez: Had a quiet first half by his own high standards but got a bit more involved in the second half as he got into more promising positions. He was outshone a bit by Mane but he won’t care much as his nation carried the day. 6.5
Soufiane Feghouli: The tricky midfielder did more defensive than attacking job tonight and it showed as he grew tired in the closing stages. He was substituted late on but not after the victory was assured. 6.5
Youcef Belaili : He was an anonymous participant in the first half as Algeria had to do more defending than attacking. He worked hard for the team afterwards and even got booked doing the team’s dirty work. 6.5
Baghdad Bounedjah: Did well to get his shot away but had luck to thank that it resulted in the opener. 7.5
Senegal
Alfred Gomis: Did not cover himself in glory with the game’s first goal. He did his defender no favour by staying too far out and not reacting well to the flight of the deflected ball. A terrible way to concede his first goal of the tournament. 5
Lamine Gassana: The fullback did his job well but after his team fell behind, he was expected to show more attacking intent for which he was found wanting. 6
Salif Sane: The Schalke man drafted in to take the place of the suspended Kalidou Koulibaly was, within minutes of kick-off, under the spotlight when a wicked deflection off him resulted into a fortuitous opener for Algeria. He recovered to post a solid performance but the damage had been done. 5.5
Cheikhou Kouyate: The captain led the defense admirably in the absence of his partner and still bravely got forward often to be at the end of free-kicks and corner-kicks. 6
Yousouf Sabaly: Was not to blame for the Algerian goal but did little to change the situation after that. The full-back could have given Sadio Mane a helping going forward but was found wanting. 5.5
Idrissa Gueye: A fine defensive midfielder on his day but tonight was just not one of those days. He did not have much to do defensively as his team pressed and pressed for an equalizer to no avail. His lack of creativity was made evident the more in this match. shot
Henri Savet: Worked tirelessly in the first half as Senegal chased an equaliser. Decent in possession but often lacking in the final ball. His delivery from crosses was inconsistent and he could have helped his team with a bit more creativity. 5.5
Sadio Mane: Was at the centre of everything good going forward for Senegal. His clever runs and smart dribbles usually taking two or three Algerian defenders with him. Got a sight of goal in the second half but then saw his shot blocked. Unlucky night for him and his nation. 6.5
M’Baye Niang: Took a speculative 30-yard shot that was inches away from being the equalizer. The former AC Milan man led a few counter attacks and tried to hold up play for his teammates but he was always up against it with the Algerian defense who did not have to do much to isolate him. Found himself one-on-one with M’Bolhi later but he blew the chance. 5.5
Ismaila Sarr: Got into good positions on a couple of occasions but did not have the ability to convert half-chances into goals. It was not a good day at the office for him. 5.5
Badou Ndiaye: Had a night to forget. He didn’t link up the defence with attack and lost possession a few times. Replaced after just 15 minutes into the second half. 5
