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Algeria national football team
Africa Cup of Nations | Group Stage
Jan 30, 2013 at 5pm UK
 
Ivory Coast national football team

2-2

Live Commentary: Algeria 2-2 Ivory Coast - as it happened

Live text updates from Ivory Coast's game against Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations.
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The Ivory Coast ended their group campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations with a draw against Algeria.

The Elephants were already through to the quarter-finals, while Algeria could not make it out of the group stage.

Algeria took a 2-0 lead in the second half, but an Ivory Coast comeback saw the scores finish even.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good afternoon! Today is the last day of the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, with both matches due to kick off in around 30 minutes.

Algeria are just playing for pride this afternoon. Their two losses in their earlier games ensure that they cannot make the last eight, but a win against one of the pre-tournament favourites would surely be a nice consolation.

Ivory Coast are expected to rest a number of their regular first-choice players, knowing that they are already safely through to the quarter-finals.

Barring a big shift in goal difference, Ivory Coast are likely to go through as group leaders, and should face Nigeria, after they finished second in Group C

We're still awaiting team news for today's game. One name everyone will be looking for is Didier Drogba. The Ivory Coast captain was dropped for their game against Tunisia, having failed to shine against Togo in their opener.

Either Togo or Tunisia will join Ivory Coast in the knock-out stages. You can follow Sports Mole's live commentary from that game here

Right, let's have a look at the teams...

ALGERIA STARTING XI: Rais Mbolhi, Mehdi Mostefa, Essaid Belkalem, Rafik Halliche, Djamel Mesbah, Medhi Lacen, Adlene Guedioura, Hilal Soudani, Ryad Boudebouz, Khaled Lemmouchia, Islam Slimani

IVORY COAST STARTING XI: Daniel Yeboah, Arthur Boka, Kolo Toure, Ismael Traore, Igor Lolo, Romaric, Abdul Razak, Salomon Kalour, Didier Drogba, Arouna Kone, Wilfried Bony

The big news there is that Drogba is back in the starting lineup after being dropped in the last match. Gervinho and Kolo Toure are amongst the players rested for Ivory Coast, but it's still a pretty strong side.

There are a couple of changes for Algeria too, Foued Kadir and Sofiane Feghouli are dropped in favour of Boudebouz and Lemmouchia.

Ahead of the match, Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi said: "I still haven't decided who will play, but definitely we will see new faces in the lineup against Algeria.

"Because of the situation we are in, I'll be able to use some of our youngsters."


It's been a busy couple of days off the pitch for the Ivory Coast captain. Having signed for Turkish side Galatasary, Drogba now faces an investigation, after Shanghai Shenhua claim that he has breached his contract.

The players are on the pitch ready to go, following the anthems from both countries.

Algeria get the first half underway.

It's not the biggest crowd in Rustenburg, but the fans that have turned out are making plenty of noise early on.

Boudebouz has a fantastic run down the sideline and crosses in to the Ivory Coast penalty area. The Ivorians have number back and get the clearance. It's been a confident start by Algeria.

Aroune Kone fires the ball forward for Ivory Coast, but there's no-one there to pick up the ball, which ends up with Rais Mbolhi is the Algeria goal.

PENALTY! Hilal Soudani is dragged down in the box.

MISS! Boudebouz strikes the ball with confidence from the spot, but his effort is just off target and strikes to post. Algeria have missed an early opportunity to take the lead.

Algeria are keeping the ball well in the opening stages of this game, their opponents haven't had much of a chance yet.

Boka goes in late on Boudebouz, and is lucky to avoid a booking. However, Algeria are awarded a free kick just over the half way line.

Algeria lose the ball, and Bony takes it up towards the Algeria goal. Drogba looks to pick out Kone near the goal, but it's put behind for a corner, which is easily cleared by Algeria.

Mesbah holds back Kone, conceding a free kick around 30 yards out. Romaric goes directly for goal, but it's an easy save for Mbohli, with the ball lacking pace.

Bony tries to fire one in from just outside the area, but the attempt is blocked. Ivory Coast have upped their tempo and taken charge of the game at the moment.

CHANCE! Kalou breaks in to the box, but he takes too long to decide what to do, and his shot flies well high of the crossbar.

In the other game in Group D, it's Togo who have had the better start, Gakpe putting them ahead against Tunisia.

Boudebouz puts in a brilliant cross for Algeria. Yeboah tries to take it but misses, and is lucky that no-one from Algeria manages to get to the ball either. A lucky escape for the Ivory Coast keeper.

At the other end, Bony finds Kalou, and Algeria are forced to put the ball out for a corner. Mbolhi comes off his line and punches the ball away before collecting it moments later. It's decent football from both teams so far.

Mostefa curls the ball in to the box. It looks like an easy take for Yeboah but he spills it, and Slimani almost gets to it, but the Ivorian keeper just manager to gather the ball in time. Yeboah has looked a little edgy so far in his first game of the tournament.

Toure fires the ball forward, looking to pick out Drogba. He just gets his head to it, but there's too much on the ball for the former Chelsea player to control it, and Algeria get the ball away. It's been a fairly quiet start for the Ivory Coast captain so far.

Kalou is pressing up the pitch, and Algeria put the ball out for a thrown in. Kalou and Drogba team up as they look to get the ball in the box, but Drogba is brought down by Lacen, giving the Ivory Coast a free kick on the edge of the area.

BOOKING! Medhi Lacen is shown a yellow card for his challenge against Drogba, which saw him stand on his opponent's foot. Sore-looking stuff!

Drogba takes the free kick. It's not a bad effort but it does edge wide. It looked like Mbohli had it covered regardless.

CHANCE! Soudani tears down the pitch and slides the ball in front of the Ivory Coast goal looking for Slimani. Yeboah fails to take the ball, but none of the Algerians can make contact with the ball.

Ivory Coast had been starting to dominate the game, but that last chance for Algeria seems to have lifted them somewhat. Boudebouz takes a strike from distance, but it's nowhere near the target.

In the other game in Group D, a penalty from Mouelhi has drawn Tunisia level.

Mesbah crosses from out wide, but Yeboah jumps it to take the ball. That's one of the few times the Ivory Coast keeper has looked confident with the ball in his box.

Yeboah spills it again as Slimani collides with him, trying to get on the end of a cross. However, the referee blows for a foul against the Ivorian keeper.

CHANCE! Great build up from the Ivory Coast. Drogba fires the ball forwards to Kone, who looks to return the ball to his captain on the edge of the area, but Drogba mis-times his run. However, Bony is there to pick up the pass, and fires the ball straight to Mbolhi, who comfortably holds the ball. That's probably Ivory Coast's best effort so far.

CHANCE! Soudani goes for a shot from effort, knowing that Yeboah hasn't looked that comfortable in goal for Ivory Coast, but on this occasion he manages to take the ball on the first time of asking.

CHANCE! The Ivory Coast immediately go on the counter attack, and it falls to Drogba inside the penalty area, but his shot is rising from the moment it leaves his boot.

Romaric attempts to pass the ball forward, but he loses the ball to Algeria. Kone wins it back but is brought down by Mostefa, giving the Ivory Coast a free kick inside the Algeria half. Kalou fires the ball in, but it's cleared by Soudani.

Drogba and Guedioura collide. It doesn't look like there's that much contact, but the Ivory Coast captain stays down, and needs treatment.

Hmm, it's an odd one from Drogba. The contact is with his foot, but he is clutching his shin and has left his country a man down while he has treatment on the sideline.

HALF-TIME: Algeria 0-0 Ivory Coast

It's honours even at half time for Algeria and Ivory Coast, which seems about right. Both sides have played well in the opening 45 minutes and there have been some good chances at each end of the pitch, but neither team have found the back of the net yet.

Algeria will probably feel the most aggrieved by the goalless scoreline. Boudebouz, who was strong throughout the half, saw his penalty bounce off the post inside the opening 10 minutes, which was Algeria's best chance at the Ivory Coast goal.

Didier Drogba had a quiet start to the half, but was involved in the build up to a number of chances as the game went on. He has a couple of attempts at the Algeria goal, but none have really looked that convincing.

At half time in the other game in Group D, it's 1-1 between Togo and Tunisia, which would be enough to see Tunisia progress on goal difference.

The teams are back on the field, ready for the second half of their final group game.

SUBSTITUTION! Ivory Coast are starting with a change, bringing on Didier Ya Konan for Romaric.

And Ivory Coast have kicked off the second half.

Algeria have started the second half well, keeping possession comfortably in midfield. Drogba looks to take the ball away, but is penalised for a foul, and Algeria keep the ball.

CHANCE! A foul just outside the area gives Algeria a free kick. Boudebouz fires the ball in, and Belkalem finishes with a powerful header. However, the ball goes straight to Yeboah, who initially drops the ball before gathering.

It's been a scrappy start to the half, with fouls from both sides receiving attention from the referee. Drogba is caught in the face by a flailing arm, giving Ivory Coast a free kick just outside the penalty box.

CHANCE! Drogba takes the kick but doesn't get the best contact with the ball, and it bobbles through the wall before going wide of the Algeria goal.

CHANCE! Guedioura takes a shot from distance, but it goes well high.

Basic error from Yeboah. He takes the ball on the edge of the area but takes a few steps too many forwards and is penalised for handling the ball outside of the area. Algeria are awarded a free kick, but Boudebouz's shot fails to breach the wall.

Drogba looks to find Bony inside the box. However, Algeria are well organised at the back, and get the ball away.

Kone takes the ball up the pitch before pulling it back to Ya Konan, who looks to set up Kalou, but Kalou is being closely marked and fails to get free to collect the pass.

Neither side have really taken charge of this half yet, but there have been chances at both ends.

Soudani loses his footing at the goalline, and ends up colliding with an advertising board. He looks a bit sore from the collision, but he seems to be moving ok.

SUBSTITUTION! On comes Sofiane Feghouli in place of Ryad Boudebouz

Ivory Coast clear an Algeria corner and launch a counter attack. Boka crosses the ball in from out wide but it's an easy take for Mbolhi.

PENALTY! Algeria are awarded a penalty following a handball by Boka.

GOAL! Algeria 1-0 Ivory Coast (Feghouli)

Having only just come off the bench, it's Sofiane Feghouli who steps up to take the penalty, and it's a clinical take from the Valencia player. Boka has been protesting his innocence, claiming the ball hit his shoulder.

Ivory Coast look to push up the pitch in search of a quick equaliser but the move comes to nothing, and Algeria get the ball back.

CHANCE! Ivory Coast force a corner. Ya Konan fires the ball in and it's put behind for another corner. The second effort falls to Traore, whose header goes well high for a goal kick.

GOAL! Algeria 2-0 Ivory Coast (Soudani)

Some sloppy defending against a high pass forward gives Hilal Soudani a one-on-one with Yeboah, and he easily heads the ball beyond the Ivory Coast keeper.

Ivory Coast are looking a little shell-shocked by Algeria's sudden lead. They've got time to change this around, but have rarely taken Algeria out of their comfort zone so far.

Kalou slips the ball to Bony, but the striker loses his footing on the edge of the area. Ivory Coast appeal for a penalty, but really it was just a stumble from Bony.

Soudani is brought down while running at the Ivory Coast goal. Initially it looks like a fairly innocuous challenge, but the goalscorer needs a couple of minutes treatment. However, he's healed quickly by the sight of the stretcher.

GOAL! Algeria 2-1 Ivory Coast (Drogba)

A long cross in to the box falls to the Ivory Coast's captain around 12 yards out, and a cracking header from Drogba sees the ball forced beyong Mbolhi. Game on!

CHANCE! Ya Konan almost has the chance to level, but his shot is deflected and goes behind for a corner.

Ya Konan takes the corner, and it's an easy take for Mbolhi in the end, but Ivory Coast are on the attack again.

GOAL! Algeria 2-2 Ivory Coast (Bony)

Wilfried Bony takes a strike from the edge of the area. It takes a brutal deflection off Mesbah leaving Mbolhi in completely the wrong area. Bony claims the goal though, and the Ivory Coast are level.

SUBSTITUTION! Algeria's second goalscorer, Soudani, goes off and is replaced by Foued Kadir.

Ivory Coast have been buoyed by their comeback, and look the more likely side to take the win at the moment. The pace has been upped and Algeria are looking a little stretched.

SUBSTITUTION! Saad Tedjar is coming on for Algeria in place of Lemmouchia

CHANCE! A long throw from Eboue finds Drogba and Bony in the box. It's Bony who gets the last touch, but it's easily taken by Mboulhi in the end.

Eboue takes a forearm to the face and crumbles to the ground, having a good couple of rolls while on the turf. It looks like he's a bit worried about his teeth, but they all look to be in tact.

There are five minutes of stoppage time to be played.

SUBSTITUTION! Didier Zokora comes on for the final minute.

CHANCE! Drogba gets the ball in the box, but he stumbles while taking the shot and the ball is off target.

FULL-TIME: Algeria 2-2 Ivory Coast

So there we have it, Ivory Coast fought back from 2-0 down to earn a drawn against Algeria. All four goals came in the space of 15 minutes in an action-packed finish to the game.

Ivory Coast will progress to face Nigeria in the quarter-finals, while Algeria are out of the competition.

That's all from the Africa Cup of Nations this evening. Join us again on Saturday for the first of the quarter-final matches. Until then, good bye.

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Emmanuel Adebayor scores for Togo in their African Cup of Nations match with Algeria on January 26, 2013
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Equatorial Guinea flag Eq Guinea32107
Q Nigeria Nigeria32107
Q Cote D'Ivoire flag Ivory Coast31023
4 Guinea-Bissau flag Guinea-Bissau30030

Group B

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Q Cape Verde flag Cape Verde32107
Q Egypt Egypt30303
3 Ghana flag Ghana30212
4 Mozambique flag Mozambique30212

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Senegal flag Senegal33009
Q Guinea flag Guinea31114
Q Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Gambia flag Gambia30030

Group D

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Q Angola Angola32107
Q Burkina Faso flag Burkina Faso31114
Q Mauritania flag Mauritania31023
4 Algeria Algeria30212

Group E

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Q Mali flag Mali31205
Q South Africa South Africa31114
Q Namibia Namibia31114
4 Tunisia Tunisia30212

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q DR Congo flag Congo DR30303
3 Tanzania flag Tanzania30212
4 Zambia flag Zambia30212


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