Esteban Fernandez scored twenty minutes from time to give Equatorial Guinea a memorable 1-0 victory over Algeria in Douala on Sunday.
Fernandez guided his effort past Rais Mbolhi to beat the defending champions and in the process end their impressive 35 matches global unbeaten run.
The Nzalang Nacional came into the match following their narrow defeat to Cote d’Ivoire and they battled with the highly fancied Algerians.
Goalkeeper Owono Ngua had to be at his best to keep out the Desert Foxes who brought in Slimani and Brahimi as they looked to rescue their unbeaten run.
The Desert Foxes came into the match on the back of their goalless stalemate against Sierra Leone in the first match.
Amir Selmane Rami Bensebaini blasted a free-kick over the Equatorial Guinea goal with ten minutes on the clock as they pushed for the breakthrough at the Japoma Stadium in Douala.
The reigning champions continued to push the resilient Nzalang Nacional who remained solid in defence.
Youcef Belaili picked out Riyad Mahrez at the post with a clean diagonal pass over the top, Riyad fired across goal but Nzalang Nacional cleared their lines.
The Desert Foxes missed two great chances midway through the first half, Owono saved from Belaili before blocking Baghdad Bounedjah’s close-range effort.
Algeria had the ball in the Equatorial Guinea goal but Bounedjah was flagged offside.
The second half saw a much more open contest with both teams playing a bit higher. Four minutes into the second period Mbolhi denied Luis Asue following a clever first-time pass by the Man of the Match Jose Machin.
Bensebaini placed a deep cross into the area, Belaili headed across the goal only for Fernandez to clear over the line.
Belmadi’s side continued to create chances but they were hit a blow when Equatorial Guinea broke the deadlock on 70 minutes.
Fernandez was on hand at the back post to guide home the ball beyond Mbolhi and give his country a famous victory against Algeria.
The victory hands the Nzalang Nacional their first win of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 while Algeria have a solitary point after two matches.
