Half time in extra time
Algeria took the lead in this final thanks to Amir Sayoud. Tunisia only has 15 minutes (plus added time) to equalize.
Nice Tunisian strike, Mbolhi pushes back (0-1, 105th + 2nd)
We are approaching half-time for this extra time. Tunisia try to equalize but Rais Mbolhi pushes back. The Fennecs are holding on in this final.
Tunisian double change (0-1, 103rd)
Immediate reaction from Tunisia which brings in fresh blood. Ben Hamida and Sassi give way to Maaloul and Bguir. Perhaps a nice blow to come if the Tunisian coach has as much trouble as his Algerian counterpart. And for good reason, Sayoud had returned shortly after the hour mark in this final.
Sayoud’s goal for Algeria (1-0, 99th)
Entering the game, Sayoud opened the scoring for Algeria with a superb shot from the top corner. The celebration is as beautiful as the goal. This final is finally launched !!!
Sliti’s failure
Sliti humiliates his vis-à-vis a superb dribble but the Tunisian winger then swings a completely missed cross in the stands.
Algeria in search of a first coronation, Tunisia wants the 2nd
Never victorious in this competition, the Algerian selection hopes to register its name on the prize list of the Arab Nations Cup. First winner in 1963, Tunisia has been waiting for a new coronation for 58 years. And if it was the right one for the Eagles of Carthage.
What a rescue of Cheti (0-0, 92nd)
The Algerian side tackles in front of Sliti and deprives Tunisia of a big chance of scoring in this final. We want rhythm and football in this overtime after a second period which is ultimately quite disappointing.
This resumes
A change on the side of Algeria for this extension. Mrezigue gives way to Draoui.
Extension ! (0-0)
Despite a last long shot from Belaïli well captured by Mouez Hassen, no goal scored in this final. We will therefore be entitled to 30 additional minutes and a suspenseful extension during this Arab Cup final.
Yellow for Bendebka (0-0, 94th)
Slightly behind in a duel, the Algerian midfielder takes a yellow card. He will have to be careful during extra time to come.
Five minutes of added time (0-0, 92nd)
Another five minutes added to this final. But barring a miracle, we are heading towards an extension between Tunisia and Algeria.
Jaziri misses the tournament point (0-0, 89th)
On a counter roundly led by Tunisia, Jaziri inherits the ball in the area of the Fennecs. But the Tunisian striker misses the target. It was clearly the match point in this final. Not sure to have another before extra time.
Mejbri replaced (0-0, 88th)
Tunisia’s turn to make its first change. Hannibal Mejbri is replaced by Ben Romdhane. The extension is fast approaching.
Tunisia finishes better (0-0, 85th)
The Carthage Eagles have two situations on well-placed free kicks. But the Tunisians cannot do it.
Drager falls in the box but offside (0-0, 81st)
New hot situation in the Algerian area but no penalty. And for good reason, Drager was offside at the start of the action.
Towards an extension?
Given the scenario of this second period, we will necessarily wonder about the rest of this match. Little by little, the idea of an extension is approaching as the last quarter of an hour of this final begins.
Songs of encouragement, everything is going well in the stands (0-0, 76th)
While Benayada is bandaged for a small physical problem, the audience gives voice. Big atmosphere in the Qatari enclosure. In joy and good humor. But still no goal (0-0, 76th)
Algeria sets foot on the ball (0-0, 70th)
The Fennecs generally master the leather during this second period. But Yacine Brahimi’s partners are struggling to be dangerous. Fortunately for them, it is not much better on the Tunisian side. The pace has clearly decreased for a few minutes.
Meziani replaced by Sayoud (0-0, 66th)
Author of a huge failure in the first period, Tayeb Meziani is the first player to be replaced in this final. Sayoud returns to his place for Algeria.
Big battle in the middle (0-0, 64th)
New yellow card for Sassi after a foul on Benlamri. The match is still as tense and gives rise to a big fight. However, still no goal in this final.
Bounedjah strikes, it’s close (0-0, 58th)
The Algerian striker tries his luck but his heavy strike ends in the small outside net. Still 0-0 in this final.
No penalty for the Fennecs (0-0, 55th)
The video referee does not give the penalty for this intervention by Chaalali. It is pushed back from the chest and not from the hand according to officials. Nothing outrageous and it is even a logical decision.
Algeria claims a penalty (0-0, 54th)
An intervention limit of the Tunisian hinge after a number of Belaili in the surface. The VAR watches the images for a potential penalty.
The match struggles to ignite (0-0, 52nd)
Unfortunately, this second half started at a slightly slower pace than the first. No real opportunity yet to be put in their mouths. Fortunately the fans put a great atmosphere in the stands.
Benayada tries his luck, it’s in the stands (0-0, 47th)
The side of the Fennecs takes advantage of a second ball to strike on goal … but it flies far from the goals of Mouez Hassen.
Start of the second period
We hope to be entitled to a good end of the final. For now the pace and intensity are there but not the goals. Still 0-0 between Tunisia and Algeria.
Meziani’s big failure on video
Tayeb Meziani gave us a “Timo Werner”. Served within six meters, the Algerian striker missed the target. Terrible for him and the Fennecs who could have taken the lead in this Arab Nations Cup final.
It’s half-time, 0-0 between Tunisia and Algeria
Game, opportunities and a hot duel. This final keeps all its promises. The only problem is that we are still waiting for a goal from one or the other of the teams. If Tunisia touched the crossbar, Meziani missed a huge opportunity for the Fennecs.
Last free kick for Tunisia (0-04e + 4)
A well-placed indirect free kick for the Carthage Eagles. But it is well rejected by the Algerian defense.
Msakni … next (0-0, 45th + 4)
Another opportunity for Tunisia but Youssef Msakni’s attempt missed Rais Mbolhi’s goals. Still no goal in this final.
Five more minutes (0-0, 45th)
Five more minutes of happiness during this final. Still no goal but the pace remains strong and the players of both teams are hot.
New yellow card for Ben Hamida
The warnings follow one another
Several minutes of additional time expected
After this collision of several minutes, we will be entitled to a few minutes of additional time. But probably not 18 minutes like in the semi-final between the Fennecs and Qatar.
Shock between Msakni and Benlamri, the tone rises (0-0, 41st)
A clash between the Tunisian attacking midfielder and the Algerian defender gave rise to a brief clash between the two teams. The spirits are heating up. Daniel Siebert will calm everyone down and inflict a yellow on Youssef Msakni, Jaziri and the Algerian striker Bounedjah after consultation with his field assistants. The VAR checked if it was a red but no. The game resumes.
Brahimi tries his luck but it’s saved (0-0, 31st)
New opportunity for the Fennecs. Former Rennes and Porto Yacine Brahimi shoots but the Tunisian defense pushes back after a slight mess. Still no goal in this final despite a big pace.
It is the turn of the Fennecs to insist (0-0, 31st)
Two corners in a row for Algeria. This is not working, but Madjid Bougherra’s players have been pushing for a few minutes. Tunisia is backing it up.
It balances out (0-0, 25th)
The two teams produce a beautiful show with a sustained rhythm. The Fennecs are emerging from the water. The debates are balanced but still no goal.
Huge failure of Meziani (0-0, 21st)
Served by Bounedjah within six meters, Meziani misses the target. What a miss of the Algerian! It should have been 1-0 for the Fennecs.
Tunisia pushes, Mbolhi holds on (0-0, 19th)
Dominating Hannibal Mejbri’s partners try to score but come across an inspired Mbolhi. The Algerian goalkeeper pulls out a nice shot from Sliti with a big tap.
Crossbar for Tunisia (0-0, 15th)
It was very close for the Eagles. Mbolhi is beaten but the crossbar saves the Fennecs on this beautiful header from Msakni on an indirect free kick.
No penalty for Tunisia (0-0, 13th)
German referee Daniel Siebert does not flinch. Neither does VAR. The game resumed and the Algerian Cheti took the first yellow card of the match on a new fault, him the defender of Esperance Tunis.
Penalty for Tunisia? (0-0, 12th)
A contentious intervention on Mejbri pushes the central referee to use the video. Tunisia may benefit from a penalty.
Beautiful people in the stands
If the pace is still intense, still no goal in this final. In the stands, several legends should take advantage of the day: Andrea Pirlo, Marcel Desailly, Cafu and even David Beckham.
Bounejdah of the head, quiet Hassen
Bounejdah’s first header on an indirect free kick but Mouez Hassen easily captures.
Rhythm but no opportunity
This start gave rise to a good battle in the midfield but still no shot on target.
First corner for Algeria
First corner for Algeria. Big pace in this match after only two minutes.
Let’s go !
Tunisia kicks off and rushes into attack.
The hymns sounded up to the final
The Al Bayt stadium in Al-Khor in Qatar was full for this final of the Arab Nations Cup. Superb atmosphere for the moment between supporters of the Fennecs and the Eagles of Carthage. The final will begin in a few moments.
The composition of Tunisia for the final
The eleven of Tunisia: Hassen – Drager, Talbi, Ifa, Ben Hmida – Chaalali, Sassi, Mejbri – Sliti, Jaziri, Msakni.
The composition of Algeria
The eleven of Algeria for the final: Mbolhi – Benayada, Bedrane, Benlamri, Cheti – Bendebka, Mrezigue, Meziani, Brahimi, Belaïli – Bounedjah.
Belaïli without club after eliminating Qatar
Author of the goal of the qualification of Algeria against Qatar, Youcef Belaïli saw his contract be terminated the next day by his Qatari club. The Fennecs winger has no shortage of courtiers and his name even circulates on the side of Ligue 1.
Belaïli, the star of the tournament?
Author of a sensational goal against Morocco in the quarter-finals, Youcef Belaïli shone during this Arab Cup. The Algerian winger finds the light after a checkered start to his career. Talent wasted, the 29-year-old could finally revive.
Qatar 3rd by beating Egypt at the end of boredom
Eliminated by Algeria in the semifinals of SA Arab Nations Cup, Qatar obtained little consolation on Saturday. The Gulf country won against Egypt after a shootout (0-0, 5 tab).
At the end of a sluggish match on the part of the two teams, Qatar therefore won this small final and finished third in the 2021 Arab Cup.
Kick-off at 4 p.m.
The Arab Cup final pits Tunisia against Algeria this Saturday at the Al Bayt stadium in Al-Khor in Qatar. Kick-off will take place at 4 p.m.