Youcef Belaili scored 17 minutes into stoppage time as Algeria beat Arab Cup hosts Qatar 2-1 in a dramatic end to Wednesday’s second semi-final to set up a final against neighbours Tunisia.
Belaili had a penalty saved but was quickest to the rebound to earn Algeria victory in a bizarre conclusion to a game they looked to have wrapped up, but which changed complexion after the referee from Poland added nine minutes of stoppage time at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Algeria were leading 1-0 and looked to be comfortably through before a stunning header from substitute Mohamed Muntari brought Qatar level six minutes into added time.
The goal was confirmed after a VAR check but the Algerians continued to protest, claiming a push in the build-up, and were handed several cautions.
Algeria won the decisive penalty when Yacine Brahimi was tripped by Abdulaziz Hatem and referee Szymon Marciniak eventually allowed 19 minutes of added time before ending the match.
Algeria's opening goal came from defender Djamel Benlamri, who got a slight deflection to a long-range effort by teammate Hocine Benayada in the 59th minute
Playing without any of their large contingent of European-based players, Algeria will face Tunisia in Saturday’s final at the Al Bayt Stadium as Qatar test out their venues and organisation ahead of next year’s World Cup.
They had also been hoping the Arab Cup would show the fruits an extensive period of preparation for their national team, who competed at the Copa America and Concacaf Gold Cup after winning the 2019 Asian Cup and had several friendlies against European opposition this year.
But they fell short of expectations in front of some 40,000 spectators despite the late effort from Ghana-born Muntari, which handed them a short-lived lifeline.
Tunisia earlier edged Egypt 1-0 thanks to a last-gasp own goal in the first semi-final.
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
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