Suhaib Salem/Reuters
CAIRO — Algeria won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in nearly three decades on Friday, beating Senegal, 1-0, in the final with a deflected goal in the opening seconds by striker Baghdad Bounedjah.
Bounedjah’s shot on Algeria’s first attack deflected off Senegal defender Salif Sané and looped over goalkeeper Alfred Gomis at Cairo International Stadium.
The goal was timed at 79 seconds — the fastest in a Cup of Nations final for at least 39 years — and delivered Algeria just a second African title and first since 1990.
Algeria players sprinted the length of the field and jumped over advertising boards to celebrate with their fans at the final whistle.