Afcon 2023: Algeria 2-2 Burkina Faso – Baghdad Bounedjah double salvages second draw for Algeria

Baghdad Bounedjah’s 95th-minute equaliser salvaged a second point for Algeria with a draw against Burkina Faso at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bounedjah levelled from close range six minutes after the break but Bertrand Traore’s penalty restored Burkino Faso’s lead 20 minutes later.

With the two-time champions on the brink of defeat, striker Bounedjah rose highest to rescue them in added time.

The result leaves Group D finely poised, with Burkina Faso, who beat Mauritania through Traore’s 96th-minute penalty on Tuesday, second and level on four points with leaders Angola following the Palancas Negras’ 3-2 win over Mauritania later on Saturday.

Algeria – champions in 2019 – will be eliminated if they lose or reliant on being one of the four best third-placed teams in Ivory Coast if they draw their third game against Mauritania in four days’ time (20:00 GMT).

The Stallions had the better chances, with Steeve Yago backheeling into the path of Blati Toure, whose shot flew narrowly over the bar.

Rayan Ait-Nouri gave away the penalty after fouling Issa Kabore in the box and Traore stepped up to convert his second goal in as many games.

Bounedjah made up for shooting wide of a post during the first half by scoring twice in the second period, reacting quickest in the box when Nabil Bentaleb’s effort was saved for his first.

Victory in their deciding game would be likely to send Algeria through unless Angola and Burkina Faso draw and equal or better the number of goals Djamel Belmadi’s players score on the night.