RIYAD MAHREZ scored an outrageous goal in Monday’s thrilling African Cup of Nations qualifier against Zimbabwe.
Already leading 1-0 at the time, the Manchester City winger, 29, showed off every morsel of his class to double his side’s lead.
Riyad Mahrez showed off his incredible first touch as he scored a stunning goal for AlgeriaCredit: beIN Sports
After snuffing out a Zimbabwe attack, the ball fell to West Ham star Said Benrahma deep in Algeria’s half.
Benrahma pinged a millimetre-perfect cross-field ball to Mahrez on the right-wing.
The ex-Leicester ace controlled the ball beautifully with a soft flick off his heel.
Mahrez then turned his defender not once, but twice to create some room.
He then rifled home an unstoppable strike with his weaker, right foot to give Algeria a commanding 2-0 lead just 38 minutes into the game.
However, Zimbabwe came storming back from the dead, with Knowledge Musonda getting a goal back moments before the break.
The comeback was complete on 82 minutes after Prince Dube – only on the pitch a matter of seconds – grabbed the all-important equaliser.
Algeria are the reigning Afcon champions, having beaten Senegal 1-0 in the 2019 final.
Mahrez turned his man twice to create space and fire home a powerful shotCredit: beIN Sports
And they are still in good shape to have another run at glory this year – comfortably top of their qualifying group.
The draw against Zimbabwe saw them drop their first points of the campaign, winning their previous three – but was still enough to ensure they qualified for the tournament proper.
Algeria now sit five points clear of Zimbabwe in second, with games against Zambia and Botswana to come.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
