Algeria edge Burkina Faso to reach AFCON last 16

Riyad Mahrez’s first-half penalty secures Algeria’s place in the AFCON 2025 knockout stage with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso, extending his record as the nation’s top scorer in the tournament.

Reuters

December 29, 2025

Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Group C - Algeria v Burkina Faso - Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco - December 28, 2025 General view outside the stadium after the match REUTERS/Stringer

Stringer/Reuters

Riyad Mahrez scored a first half penalty as Algeria sealed their place in the knockout rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in their Group E clash in Rabat on Sunday (December 28).

Algeria have six points and will win the group as they cannot be overhauled by either Burkina Faso (3 points) or Sudan (3) following the third round of fixtures in the pool due to the head-to-head rule.

The Burkinabe meet Sudan in their final clash on Wednesday, while Algeria take on bottom side Equatorial Guinea, who are eliminated.

Algeria were awarded a penalty just past the 20-minute mark when Rayan Ait Nouri was felled in the box by Ismahila Ouedraogo, and Mahrez made no mistake as he sent Herve Koffi in the Burkina Faso goal the wrong way.

Mahrez extended his record as Algeria’s all-time leading scorer at the Cup of Nations with his ninth goal and is also the leading scorer in this edition so far having netted twice in the opening 3-0 win over Sudan.

-Production: Stefan Haskins/Reuters