Riyad Mahrez skippered Algeria to Africa Cup of Nations glory as they edged out Senegal 1-0 in a tight final in Cairo.
The Desert Foxes clinched only their second AFCON crown and first on foreign soil thanks to Baghdad Bounedjah's massively deflected effort in the second minute of the decider.
Senegal, making only their second appearance in a final, dominated the majority of the match after Algeria's opener but struggled to fashion many clear cut chances.
However, they looked to have been handed a golden opportunity to equalise when awarded a penalty in the second half after Ismaila Sarr's cross appeared to strike Adlene Guedioura's arm. However, the decision was overturned on VAR.
Despite being on the back foot for large periods in the final, Algeria head coach Djamel Belmadi felt his side were worthy winners on the balance of the entire tournament.
"Since 1990, it has been a long, empty passage. We are a football country. We deserve it, I think," he told beIN Sports.
"It was a very complicated match, very difficult. We knew that it was going to be decided on a small detail. And the boys held on.
"With the tournament we had, with better attack and better defence, what more? But without the players, I am nothing.
"We tend to forget that they are the main protagonists. They are the ones who play, who apply the instructions. They did it wonderfully - if not better."
Having captained Algeria to Africa Cup of Nations glory, Mahrez will now get a short break before returning to Manchester City to prepare for the 2019/20 season.
Mahrez's City side are 4/6 to retain their Premier League crown, while Liverpool, who will be missing Senegal's Sadio Mane for the start of the campaign, are 9/4.
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Riyad Mahrez skippered Algeria to Africa Cup of Nations glory as they edged out Senegal 1-0 in a tight final in Cairo.
The Desert Foxes clinched only their second AFCON crown and first on foreign soil thanks to Baghdad Bounedjah's massively deflected effort in the second minute of the decider.
Senegal, making only their second appearance in a final, dominated the majority of the match after Algeria's opener but struggled to fashion many clear cut chances.
However, they looked to have been handed a golden opportunity to equalise when awarded a penalty in the second half after Ismaila Sarr's cross appeared to strike Adlene Guedioura's arm. However, the decision was overturned on VAR.
Despite being on the back foot for large periods in the final, Algeria head coach Djamel Belmadi felt his side were worthy winners on the balance of the entire tournament.
"Since 1990, it has been a long, empty passage. We are a football country. We deserve it, I think," he told beIN Sports.
"It was a very complicated match, very difficult. We knew that it was going to be decided on a small detail. And the boys held on.
"With the tournament we had, with better attack and better defence, what more? But without the players, I am nothing.
"We tend to forget that they are the main protagonists. They are the ones who play, who apply the instructions. They did it wonderfully - if not better."
Having captained Algeria to Africa Cup of Nations glory, Mahrez will now get a short break before returning to Manchester City to prepare for the 2019/20 season.
Mahrez's City side are 4/6 to retain their Premier League crown, while Liverpool, who will be missing Senegal's Sadio Mane for the start of the campaign, are 9/4.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com