Guinea beat Algeria in World Cup qualifiers with Senegal

In an exciting series of World Cup Group B qualifiers on Thursday, Guinea shocked Algeria with a 2-1 victory. Senegal, playing without their injured star Sadio Mane, were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in Diamniadio. These matches marked significant moments as teams compete for a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The game between Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo saw a dramatic late equalizer from Fiston Mayele, who scored just five minutes before full-time. Senegal initially took the lead with a goal from Pape Matar Sarr, but their inability to hold onto this advantage saw them drop crucial points. This result adds to their disappointing draw against Togo in November, highlighting their inconsistent start to the qualifiers. With only five points from three matches, Senegal’s path to the World Cup is becoming increasingly precarious, as only the group winner will secure a direct qualification.

Senegal’s performance was significantly impacted by the absence of their talisman, Sadio Mane, who has been sidelined due to injury. Mane’s influence on the team is profound, and his absence has undoubtedly affected their form and morale. Despite the draw, Senegal remains a formidable team, but they must find a way to secure victories in their upcoming matches to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

In a surprising turn of events, Sudan now tops the standings with seven points. They achieved a notable 2-0 victory over Mauritania in Nouakchott. The win was secured through a 15th-minute goal from Saifeldin Bakhit and an own goal by Mauritania’s defender Aly Abeid. This result has positioned Sudan as strong contender in the group, defying expectations and setting a high bar for their competitors.

Algeria, who had won their first two qualifiers, faced a stunning defeat at home against Guinea. The match saw Guinea take the lead through Morlaye Sylla. Algeria managed to equalize thanks to an own goal by Yasser Balde, but Guinea quickly regained the lead with a goal from Aguibou Camara. This loss was a significant blow for Algeria, who had hoped to continue their strong start to the qualifiers.

Egypt continued their impressive form with a 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso in Cairo. A quick-fire brace from Trezeguet put Egypt 2-0 up, but they faced a tense finish as Lassina Traore pulled one back for Burkina Faso just before the hour mark. The Pharaohs, however, held on to maintain their 100% start to the qualifiers. They now lead Group A by four points after three rounds, demonstrating their dominance and strong chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

In other matches, Guinea-Bissau, currently second in Group A, were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Ethiopia. This result highlights the competitive nature of the group, with several teams still in contention for qualification.

Ghana secured a crucial away win in Bamako, defeating Mali 2-1. Kamory Doumbia gave Mali the lead, but Ghana responded with goals from Ernest Nuamah and a dramatic 94th-minute winner from Jordan Ayew. This victory could prove pivotal for Ghana as they continue their qualification campaign.

Libya moved to the top of Group D with a 2-1 home win over Mauritius. All the goals came in the first half, with Faisal Al Badri converting a penalty for Libya, only for Kevin Bru to equalize for Mauritius. Ahmed Ekrawa then scored the winner for Libya five minutes before the break. This win puts Libya in a strong position in their group.

Malawi recorded their second win in three games with a 3-1 victory over Sao Tome and Principe in Lilongwe. This result keeps Malawi’s hopes of qualification alive as they continue to compete in the group.

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Benin achieved a narrow 1-0 win over Rwanda in neutral Abidjan. This match was crucial for Benin as they aim to climb the standings and enhance their qualification chances.

One match that did not go as planned was the fixture between Congo and Niger. Reports from local media indicated that Congo failed to arrive in neutral Kinshasa for what was supposed to be their home game. FIFA has yet to respond to requests for comment about the status of this match, leaving uncertainty about its outcome and the points at stake.

The World Cup qualifiers in Africa have showcased intense competition and unexpected results, underlining the unpredictable nature of football and the high stakes involved as teams battle for a place in the 2026 World Cup.

Key Points:

Senegal held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Sudan tops Group B with a surprising 2-0 win over Mauritania.
Guinea stuns Algeria with a 2-1 victory in an away match.
Egypt maintains a perfect start with a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso.
Ghana secures a dramatic 2-1 away win against Mali.
Libya moves to the top of Group D with a 2-1 win over Mauritius.
Malawi and Benin achieve crucial wins to stay in the race for World Cup qualification.
Uncertainty surrounds the Congo vs. Niger match due to Congo’s failure to arrive for the game.