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Mahrez Leads Algeria to the Round of 16 of AFCON with a Victory Over Burkina Faso

Riyad Mahrez led the Algerian national team to a crucial 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in their second group stage match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former Manchester City and current Al-Ahli Saudi star scored the only goal of the match in the 30th minute from a penalty kick, expertly placing it to the right of the Burkinabe goalkeeper.


The match saw Zinedine Zidane in attendance from the stands to support his son, Luca Zidane, who again managed to keep a clean sheet for the second consecutive match.

Thanks to this victory, Algeria officially secured their place in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations and top spot in their group, regardless of the outcome of their final group match against Equatorial Guinea.

Furthermore, Mahrez’s goal propelled him to the top of the tournament’s scoring charts with three goals, one ahead of Mohamed Salah, Nicholas Jackson, Elias Achouri, Brahim Diaz, Ademola Lookman, and Lassine Seneiko.

By qualifying as group winners, Algeria will face the runner-up of Group D, which will be either Senegal, DR Congo, or Benin.

The Desert Warriors’ path to the quarterfinals will include the winner of the match between Nigeria and the third-placed team from Groups A, B, or F. Morocco will also be a potential opponent in the semifinals if the Atlas Lions finish top of Group A.