Algeria and Senegal Push Through to Africa Cup Final

Khaled Elfiqi/EPA, via Shutterstock

Riyad Mahrez scored from a free kick in the fifth minute of injury time for Algeria to beat Nigeria, 2-1, on Sunday and progress to the African Cup of Nations final against Senegal.

Mahrez thundered his left-footed shot into the top corner in effectively the last kick of the game to stunningly settle the semifinal at Cairo International Stadium.

Algeria led through an own-goal by William Troost-Ekong but was pegged back when Nigeria was given a penalty for handball after a long V.A.R. referral by the referee, who initially didn’t award the spot-kick.

Nigeria took its opportunity — contentious as it was — to level at 1-1 from the spot through Odion Ighalo.

But…