Desert Storm on the Field: Algeria’s 3-0 Win Meets Post-Match Tension
24 December 2025
Match Recap
Baghdad Bounedjah, Algeria's star forward, sparked a storm within the Desert Foxes camp after they sealed a 3-0 win over Sudan on Wednesday at Moulay Hassan Stadium, opening the Africa Cup of Nations group stage.
Riyad Mahrez guided the Desert Foxes to victory with a brace in the 2nd and 61st minutes, while Ibrahim Maza added the third in the 85th.
Algeria topped the group on goal difference ahead of Burkina Faso, who beat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in Casablanca in the same round.
Rift Between Baghdad Bounedjah and Riyad Mahrez
In a strange moment, cameras at Moulay Hassan captured a sign of tension rather than celebration between the two stars.
Bounedjah reportedly refused to shake hands with Mahrez after the final whistle, casting a shadow over the Desert Warriors.
The scene circulated widely on social media, showing Bounedjah leaving the pitch angrily as Mahrez attempted to greet him.
The episode reportedly angered Mahrez, although something appeared to have unsettled Bounedjah, as others tried to offer a handshake but he kept his distance.
Aftermath and Social Buzz
The footage spread rapidly online, turning what should have been a routine celebration into a talking point for fans and pundits alike.
Punchline 1: If football had a reality show, this would be the dramatic cliffhanger every couch critic waited for.
Punchline 2: Two stars, a 3-0 win, and a handshake that refused to load—call it the original delayed handshake feature.
