Mahrez scores twice as Algeria thrash Sudan 3-0

Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Algeria began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan on Wednesday.

The Algerian captain struck early, opening the scoring in the second minute, before adding his second on the hour mark against a Sudan side reduced to 10 men before halftime.

Substitute Ibrahim Maza sealed the victory with a third goal five minutes from time, according to Reuters.

Sudan’s Salahedin Adil was sent off in the 39th minute after receiving a second yellow card, becoming the second player to see red in the tournament, which kicked off on Sunday.

Mahrez displayed his trademark composure in front of goal, underlining Algeria’s status as one of the favourites to lift the trophy in neighbouring Morocco.

Baghdad Bounedjah played a key role in the opener, supplying a fine pass before Hicham Boudaoui produced a clever backheel to release Mahrez, who finished from close range.

The second goal came courtesy of a perfectly weighted pass from Mohamed Amoura, who used the outside of his boot to pick out Mahrez, allowing the winger to calmly slot home.

Algeria’s third goal followed when Bounedjah headed the ball into the path of Maza, with the German-born 20-year-old scoring his first international goal in his ninth appearance.

The strike also marked Algeria’s 100th goal in Africa Cup of Nations history.

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