Two superbly-taken goals from Youcef Belaili and Riyad Mahrez set Algeria on the way to a comfortable 3-0 win over Guinea as they advanced to the quarter-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt on Sunday.

The comfortable victory further affirmed Algeria’s status as one of the favourites for the title.

While the previous five round-of-16 ties had produced a heady mixture of shocks, drama and comebacks, Sunday’s match was straightforward as Algeria, yet to concede a goal, won their fourth straight match at the tournament.

Belaili broke the deadlock after playing a one-two with Baghdad Bounedjah in the 24th minute and Mahrez, with some sublime control, lashed home the second just before the hour. Substitute Adam Ounas added the third on the break in the 82nd minute.

Algeria, whose only title came in 1990, will face either Ivory Coast or Mali in the quarter-finals.

 

Reuters