Riyad Mahrez Scores Twice as Algeria Dominates Sudan 3-0 in AFCON Opener

It took just 82 seconds for Algeria to get on the board. Captain Riyad Mahrez scored in each half, leading the 2019 champions to a commanding 3-0 victory over a 10-manSudan in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Mahrez Shines in Front of Zidane

On Wednesday at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Mahrez quickly delighted the majority of the 16,115-person crowd with his early strike. According to news agencies, French legend Zinedine Zidane, whose parents are from Algeria, was in attendance to watch his son, Luca, who was starting in goal for the Desert Foxes. His appearance on the stadium's big screens drew massive cheers.

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Sudan's hopes dwindled when Salaheldin Adil was sent off for a second yellow card just six minutes before halftime. Mahrez netted his second goal in the 61st minute. Late in the game, substitute Ibrahim Maza scored Algeria's landmark 100th goal in AFCON history to seal the 3-0 win.

Burkina Faso's Stoppage-Time Drama

Earlier in the day, the other Group E match provided a stunning finale. Burkina Faso scored two goals deep in second-half stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea. Despite being down to 10 men early in the second half, Equatorial Guinea took a surprise lead in the 85th minute. But a 95th-minute equalizer from Georgi Minoungou and a last-gasp winner from Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba completed the incredible comeback.