Zidane in attendance as Luca keeps clean sheet in Algeria’s first AFCON win in 6 years

Former French international and 1998 ballon d’or winner, Zinedine Zidan was in attendance at the Moulay Hassan Stadium as his son, Luca zidan kept a clean sheet in Algeria’s 3-0 dismantling of 10-man Sudan.

Algeria delivered a commanding performance to defeat a 10-man Sudan side 3-0 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. This victory carried immense emotional and historical weight for the Desert Foxes, as it marked their first win in the tournament in over five years.

After the disappointment of failing to secure a single victory during both the 2021 and 2023 editions, the Algerian squad finally broke their winless drought in spectacular fashion.

The match began with an immediate statement of intent when captain Riyad Mahrez found the back of the net just 90 seconds after kickoff. Converting a clever backheel assist from Hicham Boudaoui, Mahrez gave his side an early lead and cemented his place as Algeria’s all-time leading scorer in AFCON history.

Sudan’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a devastating blow in the 39th minute when midfielder Salah Adel received a second yellow card. The resulting red card left Sudan with only 10 men for more than half the match, allowing Algeria to dictate the tempo and dominate possession.

The second half saw Algeria capitalize on their numerical advantage. In the 61st minute, Mahrez struck again with a clinical finish to double the lead, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Sudanese side. The night was further sweetened in the 85th minute when 19-year-old substitute Ibrahim Maza scored the third goal of the match. This strike represented the 100th goal Algeria has ever scored in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Beyond the scoreline, the match was defined by a significant family legacy. Luca Zidane, the son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, earned a clean sheet on his AFCON debut. Stepping in for the injured Alexis Guendouz, Luca remained composed under pressure, making two crucial saves against Sudan’s Yaser Awad Boshara to preserve the shutout.
The occasion was garnished even more special by the presence of Zinedine Zidane himself, who watched from the VIP stands as his son represented his ancestral home. The victory moves Algeria to the top of Group E and signals a powerful return to form for the former champions.