Five-Goal Fireworks: Algeria Dominate Bahrain in Arab Cup Thriller
6 December 2025
Match Summary
The Algerian team regained balance with a big 5-1 win over Bahrain on Saturday evening at Khalifa International Stadium, in the Arab Cup group stage.
The title-winning side's five goals featured Ridwan Burkan twice in the 24th and 48th minutes, Boubliba twice in the 29th and 79th, and Yassine Benzina from a penalty in the 45+7th.
Mehdi Abdel-Jabbar scored Bahrain's goal in the 27th.
Algeria opened the Arab Cup with a goalless draw against Sudan, while Bahrain fell 1-2 to Iraq.
Algeria seized top spot on four points, one ahead of Iraq, which would face Sudan later, while Bahrain dropped out of title contention after a second defeat.
Key Moments
Algeria opened with a quick counter from a long pass by defender Viktor Al-Khal to Youssef Atal, then to Ridwan Burkan inside the area, who finished past the keeper (24).
Bahrain quickly leveled through Mehdi Abdel-Jabbar, after a pass from Ali Madan, finishing into the empty goal (27).
Algeria regained the lead after two minutes, via Boubliba from a pass by Ridwan Burkan (29).
Algerian goalkeeper Farid Chaâl preserved the clean sheet, parrying a powerful attempt from Mohamed Morhan outside the box (44).
Algeria were awarded a penalty after Burkan was fouled by Amin Ben Addi, and Benzina converted to the right of keeper Omar Salem (45+7).
The lead extended early in the second half via Burkan (48).
Morhan fired from outside the area, but was saved by the Algerian keeper (58).
Boubliba sealed the festival with his second, and his country’s fifth, a sharp finish from inside the area after a pass from Yassine Brahimi (79).
Punchline: If Algeria’s attack were a film, it would be a five-act blockbuster—no intermission allowed.
Punchline 2: Bahrain may need a bigger calendar; this game had more minutes than their plan allowed.
