Mauritania delivered another surprising upset at the Africa Cup of Nations, eliminating 2019 champions Algeria with a 1-0 victory at the Stade de la Paix on Tuesday.

In a historic turn of events, Mauritania secured a spot in the last-16, marking their first-ever win in continental appearances. Yali Dellahi’s first-half goal sealed the fate of Algeria, continuing their disappointing early exit trend under coach Djamel Belmadi, reminiscent of their 2021 performance.

Group D standings saw Angola claiming the top spot with seven points from three games, followed by Burkina Faso with four points after a 2-0 victory by the Palencas Negras over the Stallions. Mauritania, with three points, secured a place among the top four third-placed teams, earning them a spot in the knockout stage.

Algeria, a shadow of their 2019 title winning form, made strategic changes by benching captain Riyad Mahrez initially. Despite bringing him on at halftime in a desperate attempt to reverse their fortunes, Algeria faced another disheartening exit from the tournament.

The shocking defeat for Algeria reflects a stark contrast to their triumphant 2019 campaign in Egypt. Coach Djamel Belmadi now faces scrutiny for the team’s inability to replicate past success.

Mauritania’s historic win adds a captivating underdog narrative to the tournament, showcasing the unpredictable nature of football on the African continent. As the knockout stage approaches, football fans are left eagerly anticipating more surprises and intense matchups in what has already proven to be a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations.