Mahrez double helps Algeria thrash Sudan
Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Algeria made a winning start to its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, beating 10-man Sudan 3-0 at Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan.
Former Manchester City star Mahrez netted either side of Salah Adil's 39th-minute dismissal for a second bookable offence, after a poorly timed challenge on Rayan Ait-Nouri.
The win was sealed by substitute Ibrahim Maza five minutes from time, seeing Algeria sit atop of Group E ahead of its second group game against Burkina Faso.
Algeria needed just two minutes to get ahead when Mahrez collected Hicham Boudaoui's improvised backheel before curling the ball into the bottom-left corner.
Sudan responded quickly to going behind, but its chances of a comeback were made even more difficult when Adil was shown a red card, having already been booked for a needless tackle on Ramy Bensebaini just 17 minutes into the contest.
Algeria struggled to make its man advantage count and was forced to wait until just before the hour to register its next shot on target, but Baghdad Bounedjah's strike from inside the box was brilliantly stopped by the feet of Monged El Neel.
Despite its resolve, Sudan's defence was eventually breached again when Mohammed Amoura's sensational outside-of-the-foot pass found Mahrez, who took a touch before coolly slotting home in the 60th minute.
The win was sealed by Maza's late strike from Bounedjah's headed knockdown, with Amoura also hitting the post with a stunning strike from a clever corner routine.
The 34-year-old Mahrez, now Algeria's all-time top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations with eight goals, has faced scrutiny after Algeria, champion in 2019, exited at the group stage at the past two editions.
"This wasn't about answering criticism," Mahrez said. "I'm used to it.
"My reply is to concentrate on my game on the pitch. We came in with a clear plan to play without overthinking, to win this one and the rest of our group matches to make the path easier."
Algeria missed out on the past two FIFA World Cups but has qualified for the expanded 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Mahrez won the rebranded AFC Champions League Elite with Al Ahli this year, when the Jeddah club beat Japan's Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 to lift its first continental title.
"It's good to score – it brings confidence – but the team has to keep lifting our level so we're more consistent," Mahrez said.
"The focus turns immediately to Burkina Faso. We need to raise our game and be more stable from the next match."
