2019 AFCON: Algeria 2-1 Nigeria - AS IT HAPPENED

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Jul 14, 2019. 22:51

Welcome to AfricanFootball.com's LIVE coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations semifinal between Algeria and Nigeria from the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday 14 July 2019.

Here are the line-ups:

Algeria: Mbolhi, Zeffane, Mandi, Benlamri, Bensebaini, Feghouli, Guedioura, Bennacer, Mahrez, Bounedjah, Belaili

Nigeria: Akpeyi, Awaziem, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Collins, Ndidi, Etebo, Chukwueze, Iwobi, Musa, Ighalo

Live Commentary
(press F5 to refresh, all times CAT)

90+6' - Full time. Algeria 2-1 Nigeria - What an end to this semifinal! Algeria win 2-1 and advance to face Senegal in the final on Friday night!

90+5' - GOAL! Algeria 2-1 Nigeria - Brilliant strike from Mahrez, he fires it past the right hand of Akpeyi to win the game for the North Africans! What a goal!

90+4' - Free kick to Algeria in the 'D' of the penalty area! Could the Fennec Foxes steal this before extra time is called for?

90+3' - Bennacer nearly settles the game, firing a left-footed shot which beats Akpeyi but rattles the crossbar!

90+1' - There will be four minutes of added time.

89' - Feghouli with a lovely turn and shot just inside the area, but he ends his effort over the target!

88' - Onyekuru with a shot from just inside the box which deflects over the crossbar. No corner given though.

85' - Belaili tumbles as he looks to get around Awaziem, but there's no penalty for the North Africans.

82' - Mahrez with a good delivery into the penalty area from a free kick, but it's just too far ahead of Bounedjah.

81' - Iwobi with another long-range effort, but again it's not got enough power or placement to beat the Algerian goalkeeper.

78' - Nigeria substitution - Henry Onyekuru replaces Chukwueze.

75' - Fifteen minutes of regulation time to play. We are headed for an extra half hour as things stand.

72' - GOAL! Algeria 1-1 Nigeria - Ighalo tucks home the penalty and it's 1-1 between the teams in this semifinal!

71' - Yellow card - Mandi is booked and it's a penalty for the Super Eagles! It's not a controversial call... clear hand-ball inside the box.

69' - A VAR check for a potential hand ball from Mandi in Algeria's 18-yard area... this could be a penalty to Nigeria!

68' - Yellow card - Feghouli booked for a foul on Etebo in midfield.

67' - Chukwueze and Iwobi are coming more into the game now, Nigeria just beginning to find some rhythm in attack.

64' - Nigeria struggling to get their passing game going through midfield. The Super Eagles have been well below their best, but while it's only 1-0 they are still very much in the game.

61' - Corner kick to Nigeria. Chukwueze crosses and Mbolhi makes a fine catch in the middle of the penalty area.

59' - Iwobi tries a long range shot, but the ball skips well wide of the mark.

58' - Algeria's Guedioura receives treatment for an unintentional stomp on his foot from Musa. The veteran midfielder is fine to continue...

55' - Musa looks to break through on the edge of the box, but he's crowded out by Algerian defenders.

52' - Yellow card - Bounedjah booked for a late lunge on Iwobi.

51' - Algeria certainly not sitting on their lead, as they continue to dominate possession and push forward through the likes of Belaili and Mahrez.

49' - Bounedjah almost bursts through the defence, but the ball runs kindly for Akpeyi to collect.

46' - Back underway in the second half, no changes from either team at the break.

45+1' - Half time. Algeria 1-0 Nigeria - The North Africans have a deserved lead at the break, while Nigeria will need to get their attack in gear in the second stanza.

44' - Momentary danger in the Algeria block when Ighalo charges down a defender's clearance, but the 'keeper is on hand to tidy up.

42' - Algeria's lead is a fair reflection of the match, given the chance they have already spurned.

40' - GOAL! Algeria 1-0 Nigeria - Great work from Mahrez down the right flank, his cut-back deflects off the foot of Collins and hits Troost-Ekong, who can do nothing to prevent an own goal!

38' - Ighalo with a snap shot from just inside the penalty area, but he sends a low effort wide of Mbolhi's right-hand post!

37' - Collins with a great recovery challenge to deny Bounedjah another chance at goal! Now the teams trade swift counter attacks for some breathless play!

36' - Less than 10 minutes left of the first half, still 0-0 here in Cairo. Can either side claim the first goal before the interval?

32' - Bounedjah tumbles in the box under a challenge from Troost-Ekong, but the referee dismisses the appeals for a spot kick.

31' - Chukwueze shoots on goal direct from a free kick, but Mbolhi makes a solid save.

29' - Bounedjah nicks the ball off Omeruo just outside the box and is faced with only Akpeyi to beat, but the shot is straight at the goalkeeper! A third big chance for the Fennec Foxes!

26' - A good battle developing between Iwobi and Guedioura, with the latter doing well to keep the Arsenal playmaker quiet so far.

23' - Midway through the first half, still goalless between Algeria and Nigeria.

20' - Musa cuts inside from the left and shoots on goal, but it's a tame effort and easily held by Mbolhi.

18' - Belaili looks to put Bounedjah in behind the defence, but Omeruo does well to nip in front of the forward and quell the danger.

16' - Now a free kick wide left for Algeria. Bensebaini has a free header but puts it over the bar! Another great chance spurned for the North Africans!

13' - Now Ighalo cleverly wins a free kick in the final third. Chukwueze looks for an in-swinging effort with his left foot, but the ball drifts out for a goal kick to Algeria.

11' - Sustained pressure from Algeria, with the Super Eagles needing Troost-Ekong to make an important block on Guedioura's shot!

7' - Belaili with a great cross from the left, Akpeyi misses the ball and Bounedjah - perhaps surprised that the ball even reached him - failed to turn it home from close range! Huge let off for Nigeria's defence!

6' - Now some time on the ball for Algeria. The Fennec Foxes have a strong section of support in the crowd cheering them on.

4' - Nigeria looking a little sharper in the opening minutes. The Super Eagles will be looking to use their pace and width to good effect.

1' - Kick-off - We are underway in Cairo! Algeria wear a change strip of all white, while Nigeria don their dark green second kit.

20:55 - The players have emerged from the tunnel and we are just a few minutes away from kick-off in the second 2019 AFCON semifinal.

20:45 - Our referee is Bakary Gassama from Gambia.

20:35 - Senegal have won their semifinal at the 30 June Stadium, meaning the winner of this game will face the Teranga Lions in Friday night's final at this venue.