Ivory Coast 3-1 Algeria LIVE! Bendebka goal - AFCON 2022 result, match stream and latest updates today

Ivory Coast vs Algeria - LIVE!

Nicolas Pepe scored a superb solo goal as Ivory Coast thumped Algeria 3-1 to send the defending champions crashing out of the Africa Cup of Nations following a disastrous Group E campaign.

Algeria’s 35-game unbeaten run was ended by Equatorial Guinea in a stunning upset in their last match, and they were outplayed again by the impressive Ivorians, who might have had more goals with better finishing.

Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare also scored as Ivory Coat sealed top spot in the group with seven points. They will face Mohamed Salah’s Egypt side in the last 16.

Riyad Mahrez missed a penalty for Algeria, wile Sofiane Bendebka grabbed a consolation with just over 15 minutes remaining.

But there was to be no miraculous comeback for the holders, and it could have been even worse for them but Sebastien Haller’s stoppage-time header was ruled out for offside.

Follow how it all happened with Standard Sport’s blog below!

Ivory Coast vs Algeria latest news

• GOAL! Bendebka pulls one back

• MISS: Mahrez’s penalty crashes off the post

• GOAL! Pepe gets the third on the break

• GOAL! Sangare doubles the lead

• GOAL! Kessie puts Ivory Coast in front

Match report...

18:39 , Matt Verri

Defending champions Algeria crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations in the group stage after a 3-1 defeat to Ivory Coast.

They went into the match knowing they had to win to reach the knockout stages, but first-half goals from Franck Kessie and Ibrahima Sangare made their task an almost impossible one.

Nicolas Pepe then killed off any hopes of a comeback shortly after the break, before Riyad Mahrez’s penalty missed added further misery to a painful performance from his side. Sofiane Bendebka pulled one back for Algeria, but their AFCON aspirations were long gone. Ivory Coast will face Egypt in the last 16.

Read our full match report right here.

Pepe the star for his country...

18:12 , Matt Verri

Ivory Coast march on...

18:09 , Matt Verri

18:06 , Matt Verri

So Algeria finish bottom of the group. One point, one goal... not the defence of their crowd they had planned.

Ivory Coast cruised through as group winners, and they will face Egypt in the last 16. They’ll be joined by Equatorial Guinea, who go through in second with six points.

FULL-TIME

17:53 , Matt Verri

And that’s full-time.

Ivory Coast beat Algeria 3-1 and the defending champions have crashed out in the group stage.

Great display from Ivory Coast, who will face Egypt in the last 16.

17:49 , Matt Verri

90+1 mins: Three minutes of added time.

Algeria have given it a good go in the last 20 minutes, but they were so poor before that. Left themselves far too much work to do.

17:48 , Matt Verri

89 mins: A few frustrated challenges coming in from Algeria now, in their final few minutes of the tournament.

Zaha flicks the ball into the box and it falls to Seri in the box. Opts to pull it back rather than shoot, but Kessie is too far back to get on the end of it.

17:45 , Matt Verri

87 mins: Zaha on for the last few minutes, replacing Pepe who has been brilliant.

Zerrouki down with cramp for Algeria. It’s not been a fun job for him in midfield, trying to stop the flow of Ivory Coast counter-attacks.

17:43 , Matt Verri

84 mins: Pepe with more space to break into - this has been the perfect type of game for him.

Lays it off this time, wide to Gradel. First-time effort is curled straight at the goalkeeper. Not much defending going on from Algeria, leaving most of their team forward.

17:40 , Matt Verri

81 mins: Algeria pile everyone forward as they win a free-kick in a good position.

Brahimi ignores all of them and goes for goal, and Sangare has to be alert to tip it over. Been a good performance from the Ivory Coast goalkeeper.

17:37 , Matt Verri

78 mins: Potentially the most obvious yellow card of the tournament.

Haller turns and runs into space, Brahimi grabs his shirt and drags the striker back. Referee doesn’t need to give that one too much thought.

17:34 , Matt Verri

76 mins: The charge is all of sudden on! Free-kick clipped into the box, Slimani gets on the end of it and Sangare makes a stunning save to turn it behind for a corner.

Where has this been for the last couple of weeks from Algeria?!

GOAL! Ivory Coast 3-1 Algeria | Sofiane Bendebka 73'

17:32 , Matt Verri

Algeria’s turn to get a free-kick in a dangerous position. Belaili straight into the wall and out for a corner.

Shot from the edge of the box, looped back across goal.. and Bendebka has a simple header into an empty net!

Algeria get one back... three to go!

17:29 , Matt Verri

71 mins: Free-kick for Ivory Coast, right on the edge of the box. This is a perfect angle for Pepe.

He steps up... it’s not a perfect effort. Miles over the bar. If you’re going to do that, 3-0 up is a pretty good time.

17:27 , Matt Verri

68 mins: Changes from Ivory Coast, who will be playing Egypt in the last 16.

Aurier gets a rest, Maiga coming on to replace him. The right-back has been absolutely brilliant for his country this afternoon.

Not what they needed...

17:24 , Matt Verri

17:21 , Matt Verri

63 mins: That really has killed the mood for Algeria. Any hopes of a comeback have gone with that penalty miss.

Ivory Coast continue to look so dangerous on the break, there could well be more goals in this for them.

PENALTY MISSED!

17:18 , Matt Verri

This referee doesn’t look like he has any interest in changing his decision, and no sign of a review. So the penalty decision stands!

Mahrez steps up... hammers it against the post! That sums it all up. Goalkeeper went the wrong way, but it cannons off the post and away to safety.

PENALTY ALGERIA!

17:16 , Matt Verri

Well then!

Belaili goes down very theatrically in the box after nutmegging Deli. There’s very little contact, but the referee points to the spot!

Not sure that will survive a VAR check though...

GOAL! Ivory Coast 3-0 Algeria | Nicolas Pepe 54'

17:13 , Matt Verri

AND THAT IS ALGERIA OUT!

They’ve been woeful since half-time, and now they’re 3-0 down. Again Ivory Coast have the whole pitch to break into and Nicolas Pepe has the ball as Haller feeds it to him.

Allowed to move it onto his left foot and he curls it into the far corner. Game over.

17:10 , Matt Verri

52 mins: Algeria are so open at the back, and Ivory Coast really should have made it 3-0.

They have five attackers breaking on three defenders. Pepe tries to square it to his teammates in the box, it comes back to him and his shot is saved by M’Bolhi with his feet. It’s all Ivory Coast.

17:09 , Matt Verri

51 mins: Aurier lets fly from distance... catches it so cleanly and it flies just wide of the post. In fact, it’s just clipped the post. M’Bolhi didn’t move.

Algeria have not improved at all after the break.

17:07 , Matt Verri

49 mins: Benrahma the man to make way for Slimani. He was anonymous in the opening 45 minutes, and the West Ham man could very soon be on a plane back to London.

Mahrez cutting a very frustrated figure, throwing his hands around.

It nearly got even worse for him, ball fizzed across the face of the Algeria goal and Haller is inches away from turning it in. Wonderful ball from Aurier.

17:05 , Matt Verri

47 mins: Slimani on at the break for Algeria. They’ve got to throw everything at it now.

Ball falls to Gradel and he curls an effort wide rather than squaring it to Haller for a tap in. Doesn’t matter now though, offside flag goes up.

Back underway!

17:03 , Matt Verri

Second-half has begun. A cruise for Ivory Coast, or an incredible turnaround for Algeria?

We will soon see!

It’s going to need a famous comeback...

16:57 , Matt Verri

First-half stats...

16:53 , Matt Verri

60% of possession for Algeria in the first-half. Six shots to show for it, but just one on target. And crucially... no goals.

Ivory Coast have only had four shots, but they’ve scored twice from those.

As it stands, they look pretty certain to be facing Egypt in the last 16. Algeria look pretty certain to be heading home.

HALF-TIME

16:49 , Matt Verri

Ivory Coast 2-0 Algeria

And that’s half-time. As it stands, the defending champions are crashing out with just a single points from their three group matches.

Seri and Sangare with the goals, and Ivory Coast are well on their way to cruising through to the last 16. Big team-talk coming up for Algeria...

16:46 , Matt Verri

45+1 mins: Three minutes added on at the end of the first half.

Algeria still playing at walking pace when they have possession. Benrahma and Mahrez have both been really quiet, hardly seen the ball.

16:45 , Matt Verri

44 mins: Kessie wins a soft free-kick, Mahrez reacts furiously to the decision. He knows his country are in big trouble.

This is better as Belaili drives into the box. Weak finish though, poked straight at the goalkeeper. It opened up for him.

16:43 , Matt Verri

42 mins: So, so poor from Algeria. Just left Sangare free.

Three goals in just over a half is now what they need. It’s going to have to be a very rapid improvement.

GOAL! Ivory Coast 2-0 Algeria | Ibrahim Sangare 39'

16:41 , Matt Verri

IVORY COAST DOUBLE THEIR LEAD!

Terrible defending from Algeria and it’s cost them dearly. Free-kick from a fair distance out, swung into the box and Sangare is completely free at the far post.

He heads it down and past M’Bolhi who can do nothing about it. Where were the defenders?!

16:37 , Matt Verri

37 mins: Ivory Coast have to be more alert from corners. Again they’re caught out by a quick one and Belaili is running into the box. Stands a ball up to the back post, where it’s headed away.

Falls to Mahrez, he feints to shoot with his left and works it back onto his right foot, but his cross is cleared too.

16:35 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Wonderful long ball from Mandi and Belaili is clean through in behind, but his touch lets him down and the ball runs through to Sangare.

If he’d have controlled that, he had only the goalkeeper to beat from ten yards out. Big chance.

16:34 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Haller wins a free-kick for Ivory Coast, another chance to put a decent ball into the box. It’s headed away easily though.

Algeria try to break, and Aurier is penalised for handball as it bounces up onto his hand. Good free-kick to concede.

16:31 , Matt Verri

31 mins: What a brilliant ball in from Aurier. So much pace, whipped across the six-yard box... nobody could get there.

His teammates weren’t expecting it the ball to come in that early, and Gradel couldn’t get there at the back post despite throwing himself at the ball.

16:30 , Matt Verri

30 mins: Algeria with more and more of possession, but not able to create much with it yet from open play. Pepe tracks back well to head away Mahrez’s floated pass.

Ivory Coast only need a draw to go through, so they’re in a great position and have no need to push the pace.

16:27 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Long ball forward, Deli flicks it on under pressure from Bounedjah and Algeria have a cheap corner out of nothing.

They’ve looked dangerous from these. Header is won again at the back post, but no power on it and it loops away.

16:26 , Matt Verri

25 mins: They haven’t scored yet in the tournament, but Algeria need two in the next 65 minutes or they’re out.

How do they play this now? Can’t afford to just leave it until the last 15 minutes.

GOAL! Ivory Coast 1-0 Algeria | Franck Kessie 23'

16:23 , Matt Verri

IVORY COAST TAKE THE LEAD!

And now Algeria have real problems. Lovely move from Ivory Coast, and Kessie finishes it off.

Pepe with a nice one-two on the edge of the box, he brings it into the box and pulls it back into the path of Kessie, who scores from close range. Good run into the box, and he gets his reward.

16:22 , Matt Verri

22 mins: Clever free-kick from Algeria, taken quickly and Bennacer then whips a shot towards the near post from inside the box. Clips the outside of the post and out for a goal-kick.

Sangare in goal was still organising his defenders before he quickly had to scramble across.

16:20 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Belaili clips a ball into the box, and Bounedjah tries the bicycle kick as it drops towards him. Doesn’t make contact with the very ambitious attempt.

They won’t be panicking yet but the longer this remains goalless, the more the pressure builds on Algeria.

16:18 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Free-kick for Ivory Coast, taken short to Nicolas Pepe on the right wing.

No surprise to see him cut inside and work it onto his left foot... shoots from distance, but it’s a comfortable save for M’Bolhi. Algeria won’t want to keep letting him do that though.

16:15 , Matt Verri

15 mins: And again, Bounedjah down holding his face as Deli tries to hold him off. That looked like more of a foul than the first one he was booked for.

Referee calls him across and it looks like a final warning. Can’t afford to have any more swinging arms.

16:14 , Matt Verri

13 mins: Corner swung in by Algeria, Mandi wins it at the back post but he heads wide. That’s as close as they’ve come.

It’s been an entertaining start to this match, both sides getting joy going forward.

16:13 , Matt Verri

12 mins: Deli is shown the first yellow card of the match. Long ball forward, he beat Bounedjah in the air with a towering header.

His reward? A booking. Referee clearly thought he caught the striker with his elbow, but it didn’t look like he did. Very harsh decision.

Aurier also into the book for dissent! He went face-to-face with the referee, who did not appreciate that.

16:11 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Benrahma gets on the ball first time, tries to go on the outside past Kossounou and wins the corner.

Taken short by Algeria, and it ends up all the way back with their goalkeeper. Not sure that was the plan.

16:08 , Matt Verri

8 mins: Ivory Coast well on top and it’s all coming down the left through Gradel.

Chops past Atal and drives into the box, the pull-back is a good one into the path of Pepe but he sends the shot over the bar from close range. Ominous signs for Algeria.

16:06 , Matt Verri

6 mins: Gradel keeps the switch of play in, and then turns Atal twice before eventually getting to the byline.

The Algeria right-back does well to stick to his task though, and he forces Gradel out of play.

16:04 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Konan brings it forward for Ivory Coast from inside his own half. Drives into the box, goes down as Mandi comes to close him down.

No contact, no penalty. Open start to the match.

16:03 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Good start from Algeria, straight on the attack. Bounedjah uses his body well, Seri barges into him and Algeria have a free-kick 20 yards out.

What a great position. Mahrez, low and straight into the wall. That’s a real waste.

KICK-OFF!

16:00 , Matt Verri

We are underway for a huge, huge match.

Can Algeria book their place in the last 16, or will Ivory Coast cruise into the knockout stages?

15:57 , Matt Verri

Just a few minutes until kick-off... players are out onto the pitch for the national anthems.

Plenty of very passionate Algeria fans in the crowd, they’ll be roaring their side on this afternoon.

15:53 , Matt Verri

The winner of this group will face Egypt in the last 16, with the runners-up playing the winners of Group F. That group will be decided later tonight.

Also a chance that four points could be enough to go through as one of the best third-placed teams.

Algeria don’t need to worry about any of that yet though, their task is an obvious one. Beat Ivory Coast.

Not long now...

15:44 , Matt Verri

Must-win match for Algeria

15:36 , Matt Verri

Algeria put themselves under pressure right from the start of their AFCON campaign, with a 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone.

They then followed that up with a shock defeat to Equatorial Guinea, which brought an end to their 35-match unbeaten run.

One points, no goals... Algeria must beat the best team in the group this afternoon or the defending champions are going out.

Inside the dressing rooms...

15:23 , Matt Verri

15:08 , Matt Verri

So Eric Bailly is only fit enough for the bench for Ivory Coast, after picking up an injury in the last match. Wilfried Zaha misses out on the squad entirely.

For Algeria, Benlamri is out with injury. There’s a lot of pressure on the likes of Mahrez and Benrahma to produce for them, in a match with so much riding on it.

Teams in full

15:02 , George Flood

Ivory Coast XI: Badra Ali Sangare, Aurier, Kossounou, Deli, Konan, Ibrahim Sangare, Seri, Kessie, Gradel, Haller, Pepe

Subs: Tape, Kanon, Zaha, Kouassi, Cornet, Maiga, Boga, Die, Bailly, Kouame, Cisse, Boli

Algeria: M'Bolhi, Attal, Bensebaini, Bedrane, Mandi, Belaili, Zerrouki, Bennacer, Mahrez, Benrahma, Bounedjah

Subs: Zeghba, Tahrat, Feghouli, Brahimi, Belkebla, Slimani, Bendebka, Boulaya, Zorgane, Chetti, Benayada, Amoura

Ivory Coast lineup

14:56 , George Flood

Algeria lineup

14:55 , George Flood

Beaumelle: Ivory Coast playing to win

14:47 , George Flood

A point this afternoon would guarantee Ivory Coast their spot in the last 16, but head coach Patrice Beaumelle insists they won’t settle for a draw.

“Even if our four points can qualify us, we are not here to make calculations. We are going to play to win,” he said.

“Our match against Algeria is a final like the one between Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea, but we prefer to focus on our match.

“We are counting on our goalkeeper Badra Ali. If he is fit, we will trust him because he has already done great things for us.”

Mahrez ‘very optimistic’ over Algeria chances

14:37 , George Flood

Fennec Foxes captain and star man Riyad Mahrez, meanwhile, is confident that they can secure the win they need to progress through to the last 16.

“I am very optimistic about the result,” said the Manchester City winger. “Apart from efficiency, we played well in this competition.

“And against Cote d’Ivoire, a match that we absolutely must win, there is not a lot of talk. We must act on the pitch, and we will put all the necessary ingredients.

“We know that the Algerians are following us. We’re going to give it our all.”

Ivory Coast clash ‘like an early final’, says Belmadi

14:36 , George Flood

Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi has described today’s game as a ‘final’ as Algeria bid to avoid a humiliating early exit from Cameroon.

“This match could be an early final,” he said. “On Thursday against Cote d’Ivoire, we have no choice. We must win to continue the competition. And we’re going to put all the ingredients for that.

“Algeria just lacked efficiency during this tournament. About the pressure, we have had it since taking office in 2018.

“All our matches have been played with pressure, but we have to positively feel this feeling.”

Today’s theatre

14:18 , George Flood

An early look at the pitch at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, which has not been a happy hunting ground for Algeria so far...

Head to head history and results

14:09 , George Flood

These sides last met in the quarter-finals of AFCON in 2019, when Algeria held their nerve in a penalty shootout to triumph after a 1-1 draw in Suez, Egypt.

They’d later beat Nigeria and Senegal to claim their first title since 1990.

Algeria wins: 9

Ivory Coast wins: 8

Draws: 7

Ivory Coast vs Algeria prediction

14:08 , George Flood

This is all set up to be a fascinating battle between two heavyweights who will both be gunning for an important - an in Algeria’s case, essential - victory.

We’ve already seen Ghana suffer the ignominy of exiting this competition at the group stage this week and for the Fennec Foxes, following suit would be nothing short of a disaster, particularly given their quality and formidable unbeaten streak that was so shockingly busted by Equatorial Guinea of all teams.

Ivory Coast also have a squad packed with talent but are yet to hit their stride in Cameroon so far.

Fireworks could lay in store, but we’re expecting a rather tense, cagey contest that ends in a low-scoring draw - with Algeria going home.

Ivory Coast 1-1 Algeria.

Ivory Coast team news

14:07 , George Flood

Manchester United’s Eric Bailly could miss out for the Ivory Coast due a knock he picked up in the wild draw with Sierra Leone.

Algeria team news

14:06 , George Flood

Both teams have injury concerns in defence ahead of this huge fixture.

For Algeria, Qatar SC centre-back Djamel Benlamri is a doubt after being forced off against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

How to watch Ivory Coast vs Algeria

14:05 , George Flood

TV channel: In the UK, today’s match will be televised live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to watch the action unfold online via the Sky Go app.

Welcome to Ivory Coast vs Algeria LIVE coverage

14:02 , George Flood

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of a crucial heavyweight contest at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Defending champions Algeria will join Ghana in being eliminated at the group stage if they do not beat the Ivory Coast in Douala this afternoon.

Equatorial Guinea and Sierre Leone also go head to head in Limbe, with both sides still harbouring hopes of reaching the last 16.

Kick-off is at 4pm GMT, so stay right here for Ivory Coast vs Algeria build-up, latest team news and live updates!