Africa Cup of Nations 2023: Mauritania 1-0 Algeria – The two-time champions were eliminated in the group stage

Algeria crashed out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as minnows Mauritania recorded their first ever win at the finals to clinch a place in the round of 16.

The defeat means that 2019 champions Algeria will exit the tournament in the group stage For the second consecutive edition.

It occupies last place in Group D, while Mauritania will certainly qualify as one of the best teams in third place.

Mauritania will face Group B surprise Cape Verde in the round of 16 at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan on Monday (17:00 GMT).

Algeria joined fellow former champions Ghana in the elimination after results earlier on Tuesday meant the Black Stars, who have just two points to their name, could not qualify as one of the top four teams in third place.

The Chinguetti Lions had to withstand late pressure and survive more than 11 minutes of stoppage time as Algeria sought an equalizer that would have sent them into Mauritania's account.

But the underdogs deserved the victory that sent them into the knockout stages alongside second-placed Burkina Faso and Angola, who secured top spot in the group by a margin. By defeating Burkina Faso 2-0.

Humiliated Algeria is punished by wonderful Mauritania

Algeria drew their first two group matches in Ivory Coast and knew that another draw at Al Salam Stadium would guarantee qualification as a point would put them among the top four teams in third place.

However, there would be nothing but victory for their opponents after losing their first two matches – and this contrast was evident throughout as Mauritania were more prolific and dangerous in their play.

They had to contend with a somewhat tense half-hour, when Houssem Aouar fired in a good chance for Algeria, but they were more than a match for the North Africans from then on.

Mauritania's first chance saw Souleymane Ann thwarted by Anthony Mandria but Algeria failed to clear the subsequent corner and Delahi took advantage to send the underdogs into raptures.

They should have made their margin of victory more comfortable, as they wasted a number of chances in the second half against the Algerian team, which repeatedly launched counter-attacks.

But Aboubacar Quetta headed over the crossbar after a brilliant individual run, Mandria made a good save from Aboubacar Kamara's shot, and Pape Ebno Ba hit the crossbar from close range when it seemed easier to score than to give the ball away.

But Algeria lacked the ability to punish Mauritania for those errors, although the introduction of Riyad Mahrez in the first half, which was surprisingly dropped by coach Djamel Belmadi, provided more creativity.

The former Manchester City winger was the creator of the best chances, as his crosses were created by Hicham Boudaoui's header and Issa Mandi's shot, which was brilliantly blocked by Babacar Niasse.

The Mauritanian goalkeeper made another save to thwart Mandy amid nearly twelve tense minutes of extra time before the final whistle, resulting in jubilant scenes for the north-west Africans, who had lost six of their previous eight matches at Africa Cup of Nations finals. Draw the other two.

Their win was another big triumph for coach Amir Amdou, who was in charge of Comoros when the Comoros reached the last 16 in their first appearance at the 2021 finals before losing to hosts Cameroon.

Algeria had the best record of any team in qualifying for the 2023 finals, but several of their players left the field in tears, exiting after not winning a game in the two editions of the tournament since. He lifted the title four years ago.