Algeria rested captain Riyad Mahrez but still comfortably beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 to make it three wins from three at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic made nine changes to his starting team, but Algeria were still in control. Winger Anis Hadj Moussa impressed in place of Mahrez, causing constant problems and helping set up two goals. Zineddine Belaid headed in from a corner, while Fares Chaibi and Ibrahim Maza also scored.
Equatorial Guinea, who had already lost their first two group games, struggled to match Algeria’s intensity. Their only bright moment came early in the second half when captain Emilio Nsue scored a powerful long-range goal.
Algeria now join Nigeria as the only teams to win all three group matches and will face DR Congo in the last 16 in Rabat on Tuesday, 6 January.
