Riyad Mahrez scores twice as Algeria beat 10-man Sudan at AFCON 2025
Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Algeria beat 10-man Sudan in their Group E opener at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat.
The 2019 champions started strongly, with Mahrez opening the scoring from 12 yards after a clever backheel by Hicham Boudaoui.
Sudan’s Yaser Awad Boshara tested Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane twice, but the visitors’ task became much harder when Salah Adel was sent off for a second yellow card six minutes before half-time.
Mahrez, 34, doubled the lead just after the hour mark, finishing calmly from Mohamed Amoura’s through-ball. Amoura nearly made it three when his volley hit the post.
Algeria sealed the win when Ibrahim Maza converted Baghdad Bounedjah’s knockdown just outside the six-yard box with five minutes remaining – marking Algeria’s 100th goal in AFCON history. Sudan goalkeeper Monged Elneel made two fine saves in added time to deny substitute Adil Boulbina.
Algeria top Group E on goal difference ahead of Burkina Faso, who beat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 earlier. The North Africans remain in Rabat for their next game against Burkina Faso on Sunday (17:30 GMT), while Sudan travel to Casablanca to face Equatorial Guinea (15:00 GMT).
Algeria are now managed by former Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic, who took over after Djamel Belmadi was sacked following the 2023 finals. Petkovic’s side showed strong understanding between Mahrez and Amoura, and the packed Moulay El Hassan Stadium celebrated every attack. Mahrez was even withdrawn with 12 minutes left, allowing Algeria to maintain their energy.
Sudan’s qualification for the finals was impressive given the ongoing civil war in Khartoum, which has forced them to play all games outside the country. However, facing a team ranked 83 places above them proved too difficult after Mahrez’s breakthrough and the red card.
