FIFA Arab Cup: with a magical Belaïli, Algeria eliminates Morocco! – Afrik-Foot

This derby will go down in history! After a crazy match, Algeria eliminated Morocco this Saturday on penalties (2-2, 5-3 tab) in the quarter-final of the FIFA Arab Cup in an exceptional atmosphere at Al Thumama Stadium of Doha. The Fennecs will challenge host country Qatar on Wednesday for a place in the final.

Despite the absences of Bounedjah and Benlamri, spared on the bench, the men of Madjid Bougherra entered the game better and dominated the debates but without obtaining opportunities worthy of the name. Over the minutes, the Moroccans came back well and on the other hand were more dangerous. Following a corner following a failed relaunch on his part, M’Bolhi had to work to deflect El Karti’s head with an exceptional tap! In the duel with Chetti, Azaro, who claimed a penalty, then failed to regain a cross at close range.

Before the break, the Algerians came back to the game well, then they clearly pressed on the accelerator when they returned from the locker room with two huge chances for Draoui then Meziani in the box, but Zniti responded to M’Bolhi by making two superb leg stops then with his foot on his line! The Fennecs, however, ended up realizing their highlight a few minutes later when the VAR reversed an obvious but forgotten fault by Chiti, who had let his foot drag behind Belaïli in the box. Brahimi opened the scoring by converting the penalty despite Zniti’s insufficient stopping which only slowed the ball (0-1, 62^e).

Belaïli’s flash of genius

But the Algerian joy was short-lived because Nahiri equalized almost immediately by resuming a free kick from Haifidi from the head to the far post (1-1, 64^e)! Confidently, the Moroccans were not far from taking the lead but M’Bolhi was on the parade against El Berkaoui, while Bencharki did not frame his header. During a more closed end to the game, neither team could tell the difference and it was necessary to go through extra time. This one fell on a feat of Belaïli which chained control of the chest, rotation in pivot then half-volley from the midfielder. Slightly advanced, Zniti was lobed. One of the goals of the year (1-2, 102^e)!

Nahiri had the equalizer again in stride but this time M’Bolhi repelled the shot from a free kick. A warning sign? No because on a free kick from Bencharki, Moroccan captain Benoun tore off the equalizer from the head (2-2, 111^e). Almost a carbon copy of the first goal! Everything was decided from then on on penalties and, at the end of the suspense, M’Bolhi jumped up to repel the shot from 4^e Moroccan shooter El Berkaoui, while Tougaï transformed his attempt to send the Algerians to the semi-finals!

Belaïli’s exceptional goal in video

HE IS CRAZY. YOUCEF BELAÏLI. ??pic.twitter.com/xd2dUrzOzP

– DZfoot (@DZfoot) December 11, 2021

The compos