Algeria eliminated from Olympics football event after defeat to Argentina

Argentina saw off a hard fighting Algerian side 2-1 as both sides finished with ten men at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during Sunday’s Men Olympic Football event.

Angel Correa put 10-man La Albiceleste in front moments after the break, before Sofiane Bendebka equalised just after the hour mark. Victor Cuesta’s red card had reduced he South Americans to ten men before aking he lead.

Ayoub Abdellaoui then levelled the playing field by picking up his second booking, with Jonathan Calleri grabbing Argentina’s winner minutes later.

Despite Argentina having much of the opening exchanges in a rather low-tempo first half, it was Algeria who had the standout chance of the first period. Baghdad Bounedjah was sent clear by substitute Mohammed Benkhemassa, with the Algeria No7 finding himself one-on-one with Geronimo Rulli. The forward tried to loft the ball over the Argentinian keeper, but Rulli was equal to the effort.

Seconds before the half-time whistle, Argentina captain Cuesta received a second booking for hauling down Bounedjah and was dismissed.

Any hopes that Algeria would immediately capitalise on the man advantage were dashed just after the interval. A hopeful long ball upfield was flicked on by a combination of Jonathan Calleri and his marker, with Correa racing onto the loose ball and calmly hitting a left-footed shot past Chaal.

With Argentina looking in control, Mohammed Benkablia was teed up by Bendebka, with the No9 firing wide. Bendebka would not be so wasteful moments later. The NA Hussein Day midfielder sprung the offside trap and calmly slotted past Rulli to stun La Albiceleste.

Algeria were their own worst enemy minutes later, with Ayoub Abdellaoui sent off for collecting his second yellow card after catching Cristian Pavon with a high boot. With Les Verts reorganising their defence, Julio Olarticoechea’s side pounced.

Giovanni Lo Celso worked the ball down the Argentinian left, finding Calleri on the edge of the Algerian box. The forward exchanged passes with Correa, before lifting the ball over the onrushing Chaal.

Argentina face Honduras in a winner-takes-all clash for second place in Group D on Wednesday.