Algeria and Tunisia to play in Arab Cup final
In the first semi-final of the Arab Cup, Tunisia and Egypt met. Tunisia dominated the game, although they were unable to score. Defender Talbi almost scored with a great header from a corner, but it went just over.
Late in the second half Tunisia's Ben Romdhane, who had come on at the end of the first half for an injured Meriah, tried to fool us all with a penalty that the referee initially awarded, but after seeing it on the VAR he waved it away. He is clearly the one looking to put his leg between the legs of Egyptian defender Hegazy.
Later Egypt had the clearest chance of the match in a great move by Marwan which his team-mate Fathi got in the way of and was determined to send into the clouds. Fathi was not having a good day.
Tunisia continued to dominate and Jaziri could have headed his team ahead from a corner, but although he shot alone, it was too close.
In the 94th minute, in stoppage time, Fathi again took a side foul on Msakni. Naim took the kick and Elsoulia, the Egyptian captain, in his eagerness to clear the ball, put it into his own net. Fortunate for Tunisia who are through to the final.
Equality at the start of the match between Qatar and Algeria. First chance for Qatar. Almoez in the 12th minute half volleyed a shot just wide of M'Bolhi's left corner.
Curiously, the first goal was scored by two Algerian defenders. Benayada headed a loose ball on the edge of the box and Benlamri headed the ball past several Qatari defenders and into the goal of the hosts' keeper Al-Sheeb.
Algeria took the lead in the 61st minute.
It was the end of the ninety minutes and the referee added 9 minutes for the large amount of time lost. Perhaps a little excessive.
In the 96th minute from a cross from the right, Muntari, who had come on in the 64th minute, made a great header that beat the Algerian goalkeeper. A great goal.
But Qatar's joy was short-lived and they were already thinking about extra time. The veteran Brahimi came into the box and took advantage of Hatim's inexperience to drop after a slight contact. The referee gave a very harsh penalty and Belaili luckily converted after goalkeeper Al-Sheeb had saved the spot-kick. The goalkeeper's rebound came straight to him and he scored an empty net to make it 1-2.
Algeria will be in the final against Tunisia on Saturday at 16:00.
