FIFA Arab Cup
The result left Iraq finishing second in the standings with six points to set up a quarter-final against Group C winners Jordan, while Algeria’s top placing earned them a clash with the United Arab Emirates.
Defending champions Algeria needed to avoid defeat to be sure of advancing and came out strongly against an Iraq side who had already qualified for the knockout stage following victories against Bahrain and Sudan.
The West Asian side got off on the wrong foot when Hussein Ali was sent off for his foul on Algeria’s Yacine Brahimi in the fifth minute and were lucky to escape further damage when Houari Baouche brought down Suad Natiq inside the box moments later, with the penalty decision overturned following a VAR review.
Algeria played to their advantage with Brahimi in the thick of things, setting up Redouane Berkane who headed right into the hands of Iraq keeper Fahad Talib.
Iraq suffered another blow in the 33rd minute when Mohanad Ali was forced out of the game injured and was replaced by Ahmed Yahya.
Algeria continued to push and were initially denied the lead in first half stoppage time after Berkane deflected Yassine Benzia’s cross into the path of Mohamed Tougai, who nodded the ball into the net. The goal was initially disallowed but the decision was reversed following a VAR review.
Iraq’s woes deepened a minute after the break when Talib thought he had handled Brahimi’s cross into the box, only to see the ball come off Natiq and settle in the back of the net.
Talib was kept on his toes by Algeria’s waves of attacks with Graham Arnold’s side wasting a chance to reduce the deficit in the 75th minute after Amar Muhsin drove Ahmed Yahya’s cutback wide from inside the six-yard-box as Iraq had to accept defeat.
Photos: FIFA via Getty Images
