Algeria was crowned Africa Cup of Nations champion for only the second time in its history, edging past Senegal 1-0 thanks to Baghdad Bounedjah’s early deflected goal.
After going behind, Senegal dominated for the remainder of the match but was unable to find an equalizing goal.
Midway through the second half, it looked as though Senegal had been handed a lifeline after referee Alioum Alioum awarded a penalty for handball.
However, after being advised by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to review the incident on the pitch side monitor, Alioum overturned his original decision.
It was yet more heartbreak for Senegal, which is still yet to win the greatest prize in African football.
But it will be the manner of this defeat that will hurt the most. Algeria’s goal came from its one and only shot of the game and few would argue that Senegal was the better side for the other 88 minutes of the match.
The Algerian government had reportedly subsidized more than 5,000 plane tickets for Algeria supporters to make the four-hour flight to the Egyptian capital.
However, hundreds of fans with legitimate tickets — including local Egyptians as well as Algerians — were reportedly refused entry and left to wander the perimeter of the stadium, trying to find a way in after being told by officials that some sections were already full.
After Algeria’s bright start — Bounedjah almost made it 2-0 just moments later — Senegal grew into the final and was by a considerable distance the better team for the remainder of the half.
But despite their dominance, the Lions of Teranga were unable to produce any clear-cut chances, largely due to Algeria’s consistent tactical fouls that prevented Senegal finding any sort of rhythm.
