Mahrez’s dazzling wing play set up the opening goal and then, six minutes into added time, the City winger struck a breath-taking 20-yard free-kick into the top left-hand corner to send a nation into raptures.
The influential Algeria skipper, winning his 52nd cap, started brightly and had a good effort saved on 11 minutes.
RIYAD MAHREZ! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mfL0T5PpkO
— DZ Football (@DZFootball_en) July 14, 2019
Mahrez, who has impressed throughout the tournament, then played a huge role in the opening goal.
The City winger left two defenders chasing their own shadows on the right flank after 40th-minute before crossing low into the six-yard box where Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong couldn’t help but put the ball into his own net,
The Super Eagles levelled on 72 minutes courtesy of a VAR decision against Mandi who was adjudged to have handballed Etebo’s shot.
And as the game headed for extra time, Mahrez arrowed an unstoppable free-kick in from the edge of the box to send Algeria to only their second AFCON final and spark wild scenes of celebrations from the Algerian players, fans and coaching staff..
The Desert Foxes now face Senegal in Cairo next Friday (8pm kick-off).
Quite good. @Mahrez22 takes Algeria to the #AFCON2019 final! pic.twitter.com/fIfIRsQd3B
— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) July 14, 2019