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Belaili had a penalty saved but was quickest to the rebound to
earn Algeria victory in a bizarre conclusion to a game they
looked to have wrapped up, but which changed complexion after
the referee from Poland added nine minutes of stoppage time at
the Al Thumama Stadium.
Algeria were leading 1-0 and looked to be comfortably through
before a stunning header from substitute Mohamed Muntari brought
Qatar level six minutes into added time.
The goal was confirmed after a VAR check but the Algerians
continued to protest, claiming a push in the build-up, and were
handed several cautions.
Algeria won the decisive penalty when Yacine Brahimi was tripped
by Abdulaziz Hatem and referee Szymon Marciniak eventually
allowed 19 minutes of added time before ending the match.
Algeria's opening goal came from defender Djamel Benlamri, who
got a slight deflection to a long-range effort by team mate
Hocine Benayada in the 59th minute
Playing without any of their large contingent of European-based
players, Algeria will face Tunisia in Saturday’s final at the Al
Bayt Stadium as Qatar test out their venues and organisation
ahead of next year’s World Cup.
They had also been hoping the Arab Cup would show the fruits an
extensive period of preparation for their national team, who
competed at the Copa America and Concacaf Gold Cup after winning
the 2019 Asian Cup and had several friendlies against European
opposition this year.
But they fell short of expectations in front of some 40,000
spectators despite the late effort from Ghana-born Muntari,
which handed them a short-lived lifeline.
Tunisia earlier edged Egypt 1-0 thanks to a last-gasp own goal
in the first semi-final.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ed Osmond)
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