Algeria crashed out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as minnows Mauritania claimed a famous first ever win at the finals to snatch a spot in the last 16.
Centre-back Yali Dellahi swept home the winning goal late in the first half to stun the two-time Afcon winners.
Defeat means 2019 champions Algeria exit the tournament at the group stage for the second successive edition.
They finish bottom of Group D while Mauritania will definitely progress as one of the best third-placed teams.
Mauritania will face surprise Group B winners Cape Verde in the last 16 at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Monday (17:00 GMT).
Algeria join fellow former champions Ghana in being eliminated after results earlier on Tuesday meant the Black Stars, with just two points to their name, cannot qualify as one of the top four third-placed sides.
The Lions of Chinguetti had to withstand late pressure and survive more than 11 minutes of stoppage time as Algeria sought a leveller that would have sent them through at Mauritania’s expense.
But the underdogs were good value for a victory that sent them into the knock-out stages alongside second-placed Burkina Faso and Angola, who sealed top spot in the group by beating the Burkinabe 2-0.
Abject Algeria punished by magnificent Mauritania
Algeria had drawn their opening two group games in Ivory Coast and knew another draw at the Stade de la Paix would secure qualification as a point would put them among the four best-ranked third-placed teams.
Nothing but a victory would do for their opponents, however, after they had lost their first two matches – and that contrast was evident throughout with Mauritania far more purposeful and threatening in their play.
They had to negotiate a slightly nervy opening half-hour, when Houssem Aouar volleyed wide a decent chance for Algeria, but were more than a match for the North Africans from then on.
Mauritania’s first chance saw Souleymane Anne thwarted by Anthony Mandrea but Algeria failed to clear the subsequent corner and Dellahi capitalised to send the underdogs into raptures.
![Mauritania had only qualified for the Afcon finals on two previous occasions, in 2019 and 2021](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/145D3/production/_132411438_gettyimages-1948402676.jpg)
They should have made their margin of victory more comfortable, wasting a host of second-half chances against an Algeria side repeatedly run ragged on the counter.
But Aboubakary Koita blazed over after a brilliant solo run, Mandrea saved well from Aboubakar Kamara and Pape Ibnou Ba hit the bar from close range when it seemed easier to score than miss.
Algeria, though, lacked the nous to punish Mauritania for those misses, although the half-time introduction of Riyad Mahrez, surprisingly dropped by boss Djamel Belmadi, did provide more creativity.
The ex-Manchester City winger was the architect of their best chances, with his crosses setting up Hicham Boudaoui’s header and Aissa Mandi’s volley, which were both brilliantly saved by Babacar Niasse.
The Mauritania goalkeeper made one more key save to foil Mandi amid a tense near-dozen minutes of time added on before the final whistle yielded scenes of jubilation for the north-west Africans, who had lost six of their previous eight matches at Afcon finals, drawing the other two.
Their victory marked another major triumph for coach Amir Amdou, who was in charge of Comoros as the islanders reached the last 16 on their debut at the 2021 finals before losing to hosts Cameroon.
Algeria had the best record of any team in qualifying for the 2023 finals but several of their players left the field in tears and they bow out having not won a single game in the tournament’s two editions since lifting the title four years ago.
Line-ups
Mauritania
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 16Niasse
- 20Keita
- 14DellahiSubstituted forHoubeibat 68′minutes
- 5BaBooked at 45mins
- 2Diaw
- 4Gassama
- 23AmarSubstituted forCamaraat 81′minutes
- 10ThiamSubstituted forBâat 82′minutes
- 8BoddaBooked at 21mins
- 19KoïtaBooked at 53minsSubstituted forKamaraat 82′minutes
- 11AnneSubstituted forFofanaat 71′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Diaw
- 3Abeid
- 6Fofana
- 7Ba
- 9Tanjy
- 12Camara
- 15Doukara
- 21Houbeib
- 24N’Diaye
- 25Bâ
- 26Ngom
- 27Kamara
Algeria
Formation 4-3-3
- 16Mandréa
- 20AtalSubstituted forVan Den Kerkhofat 81′minutes
- 2Mandi
- 4Tougaï
- 15Aït-Nouri
- 14BoudaouiSubstituted forBentalebat 62′minutes
- 6Zerrouki
- 11AouarSubstituted forMahrezat 45′minutes
- 12OunasSubstituted forBelaïliat 62′minutesBooked at 83mins
- 9Bounedjah
- 18AmouraBooked at 45minsSubstituted forSlimaniat 69′minutesBooked at 76mins
Substitutes
- 1Zeghba
- 3Van Den Kerkhof
- 5Touba
- 7Mahrez
- 8Belaïli
- 10Féghouli
- 13Slimani
- 17Chaïbi
- 19Bentaleb
- 23M’Bolhi
- 24Belaïd
- 25Larouci
Live Text
Match ends, Mauritania 1, Algeria 0.
Second Half ends, Mauritania 1, Algeria 0.
Offside, Mauritania. Aboubakar Kamara is caught offside.
Aïssa Mandi (Algeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Aboubakar Kamara (Mauritania).
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Baghdad Bounedjah (Algeria).
Attempt missed. Baghdad Bounedjah (Algeria) left footed shot from very close range is close, but misses to the left.
Attempt saved. Aïssa Mandi (Algeria) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Nabil Bentaleb.
Attempt missed. Mouhsine Bodda (Mauritania) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Aboubakar Kamara.
Attempt saved. Bakari Camara (Mauritania) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt missed. Aïssa Mandi (Algeria) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Youcef Belaïli with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Algeria. Conceded by Bakari Camara.
Foul by Ramiz Zerrouki (Algeria).
Mouhsine Bodda (Mauritania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Guessouma Fofana (Mauritania).
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Pape Bâ (Mauritania).
Corner, Mauritania. Conceded by Aïssa Mandi.