Senegal vs Algeria: CAN 2019 final, live online

Algeria are the 2019 Champions of Africa. 

A second minute deflected goal from Al Saad forward Bounedjah was enough to secure the win for "Les Fennecs" in a Cario International Stadium which featured a high presence of fans from the North African country. 

The match itself was lacking in quality with Senegal unable to find a way back against a well disciplined Algerian defence. The first half was marred by a constant wave of fouls from the men in white as they refused to let Senegal find any rhythm.   

Algeria sat deeper in the second period and invited their West African rivals to take the initiative (a similar strategy as they employed in the semi final against Nigeria). Senegal failed to have the ingenuity to carve open the "Les Fennecs" defense and momentarily through they were handed a lifeline with the Cameroonian official awarding a hand ball only to over rule the decision after consulting VAR.

Algeria lift their first CAN trophy in 29 years as Senegal still look for their first taste of African glory.  

Always wrenching to see player cry post game but some of the Senegalese players are inconsolable 

Senegal players lie distraught on the Cairo pitch, a decent effort from the Lions of Teranga but fell short in the quality department. Well done "Les Verts" and commiserations Senegal,.    

It's all over in Cairo. Algeria win CAN 2019 and rush to celebrate with the thousands of travelling supporters.

Final effort ...another free kick right on the edge of the Algeria box.... What can they do... Sane to strike, last kick of the game possibly.

Another free...final roll of the dice...ball bobbles about and M'Bolhi catches. 

Mandi carded and yet another free kick for Senegal

4' of time to be added

Yet again, another wasted free-kick

Senegal simply have lacked the creativity and precision, espacially in the second half with the Algeria team sitting deep and inviting pressure.   

29 years after their last triumph, Les Fennecs are minutes away from their second CAN win.

Slimani to make an entrance ..... Bounedjah off 

Senegal freekick ... wasted ... 

Balde on Niang off (final Senagal swap)

Feghouli off-Tahrat on (Algeria)

Senegal should be able to concoct at least one more chance but one senses that the title is heading to North Africa 

Belaili off-Brahimi on 

Senegal keep probing as Sarr fails to keep a volley from inside the area down.

Gassama cared for a rash chellenge on Bennacer

Gueye carded for a foul on Belaili

Time running out for Senegal... Just over 10' remaining in Cairo.

 Diagne on for poor free kick taking Saivert 

Game held up after a clash of heads between Mane and Benlamri

Algeria go close as Belail's shot is almost headed into the Senegal net by a man in green. That wouild have been cruel.   

Algeria fans in France celebraying

Diagne set to come on for Senegal

Possession stats after 70'

It's all Senegal now and as was the case in the semi-final against Nigeria, Algeria are siting deeper and inviting pressure.

M'Bolhi saves well as Senegal knock on the door with Sabaly unleashing a feroucious drive.

Yet another free...long way out but yet again Saivert to take... Poor delivery once again... 

Great ball from Senegal looking for Niang..despite rounding the keeper the Rennes striker blazes over.

Diatta looks lively since coming on...

So ...as we were...

There is absolutely no consistency in referring deciosn at prersent ... and I can feel the frustration of the Senegal players

On reflection....it possibly is a penalty.... what will the match official  decide ? And it will be play on... No penalty

VAR to be consulted....

Guedioura was the player who handled.... rigourous again but these are the rules these days !

Handball...penalty for Senegal....

Saivet strikes then free but easy for  M'Bolhi

Diatta on Ndiaye off

Another free kick and this time within striking distance on goal. Saivet looks set to take ....

Gueye fouls this time... The Senegal dead balls have been poor and has let the Lions of Teranga have been let down on too many occasion with plenty of dangerous free kicks. Time to give Saivet a break from his duties. 

Belaili second Algeria player carded. 

Senegal unable to get into the groove in the second half with a sense of urgency (and lack of patience ) to their play.  

How the early Algeria goal was celebrated!

Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o stands next to the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Algeria win a dangerous free kick as the ball breaks to Senegal who look to break. We haven't seen enough of Mane and Niang tonight for Senegal despite the Rennes' striker late effort. Great noise levels coming from the Algerian fans urging their men on...   

Algeria have been excellent throughout this tournament but their way of breaking up play with constant fouling in this game so far is far from admirable! 

No changes at the interval and Algeria get the action underway...

The teams are making their way back to the Cairo pitch. It's Algeria who are just 45' away from being crowned champions of Africa.  

The foul stats for Algeria !  

A deflected Bounedjah effort in the opening stage enough to see Algeria ahead. A scuffle breaks out on the pitch as both teams head towards the tunnel with one of the Algerian keepers on the ground.

The whistle sounds for half time as Algeria break with the ball.

2 mins. of time to be added.

Mane breaks into the area as Zeffane makes a timely interception. Calls for a penalty from the men in green as Mane takes his time to get to his feet ...  a corner it is .. Saivet takes... Sane strijkes and Senegal win another corner. Great pressure from Cisse's men.    

Another free... 12th foul from Algeria ... Senegal take... Saivet strikes but again easily dealt with by the Algeria defenders,  

5' to go in Cairo. Senegal looking for a way back but Algeria defensively strong coupled with tactical fouling to disrupt Senegal's rhythm.

Another free for Sengal.... The Lions of Teranga firing hopeful balls into the box which are easily dealt with by the men in white.

Niang has a long half volley effort which drifts inches wide of the Algeria post. What a goal that would have been had the Rennes player's drive been on target.

Tension abounds here in Cairo between both sides with the ref. having to ensure order as players lose their cool 

Senegal corner as Feghouli goes to the ground after an altercation with Mane

Bensebaini first name in the book. 

Yet another foul by Algeria and finally a card.

Pape Abou Cissé warming up should the Palace player not be able to carry on.

Stats on the half hour mark. Senegal edging possession still.

Kouyate is down after a collision with Bennacer. The Crystal Palace player seems to have fallen akwardly and seems distressted.

Algeria refuse to let play flow as Sadio Mane is fouled. The referee needs to clamp down on this. Senegal test the Algerian keeper from a long range free kick but M'Bolhi saves well.

The Cameroonian ref. needs to start warning the Algerian players who are sailing close to the win with rigorous tackles. Senegal looking at long balls as a means to short-cut through to the front line with very limited success.

Saivet to take but over hits his delivery and Algeria clear their lines.

Sabaly runs from his defence Beckenbauer style but fails to find a colleague after an impressive run. Senegal desperately looking for a way back into the action but Algeria are so impressive defensively. Another free given away by Algeria

Plenty of fans still outside the stadium (with tickets) unable to secure access !!!  

A sea of green and white of Algeria fans in the end of one of the Cairo International stands.

Senegal's Kouyate latches on to a free kick but fails to get any accuracy on the effort.

Mandi looks for the front line but over-hits his long ranging pass. Senegal yet to launch a serious attack with Algeria being clever in interrupting the flow of the game with "strategic fouling" .

Stats after just over 10' of play in Cairo 

...the goal !

Algeria looking the sharper side in the initial opening phase here in Cairo ... Certainly byoued by the opening goal. 

Free kick for Algeria. Belaili over the ball and the Esperance player looks Bounedjah... over-hit and Senegal break with Mane being fouled to break up the move.

Feghouli on the ground after being tripped

What a start to the game .... A major blow for Senegal and so much for my "one single goal" prediction ; )

Too many people have made this out as a Mane vs Mahrez Premier League tussle

Senegal in all green with Algeria in their classic all white.

Off we go in Cairo. The 2019 CAN final is underway.

Algeria slight favourites with the bookmakers for tonight's final but I anticipate a tight affair with just one goal to be decisive. 

Aïssa Mandi is the only LaLiga player in action with the Real Betis man playing in defence for Les Fennecs. 

National anthem time.... first up Senegal ... followed by the Algerian anthem. 

The teams make their way to the Cairo international playing surface. A decent turn out of Senegal fans but the stadium is principally of green and white clad Les Fennecs supporters.  

Little did fans watching the group stage game between both sides on June 27 in Cairo think that there were witnessing a prelude to tonight's final. A goal from Youcef Belaili on that night was to give Algeria a 1-0 win.

Algeria will play their third AFCON final after 1980 (a 3-0 defeat to Nigeria) and 1990 (a 1-0 win, also against the Super Eagles). They have conceded two goals in the 2019 AFCON, only in 1984 have they conceded fewer in a single edition, whey they finished third, letting in one goal.

A reminder of the starting line-ups:

Images of the earlier spectacular closing ceremony

Nice touch from Everton!

Senegal will play their second AFCON final, after 2002 (defeat to Cameroon). The Senegalese have won their last four games, their longest winning streak in the competition.

Algeria are unbeaten against Senegal in four AFCON encounters (winning three, drawing one). Moreover, the Teranga Lions are the team the Fennec Foxes have faced most without losing to in the AFCON.

Reports of tension outside as many Algerian fans look to secure access to the stadium. Holding an algerian passport earlier secured access to the ground.

Main tactical talking points: Sane and Sarr start for Senegal with Kalidou Koulibaly (suspended) & Diatta replaced as Algeria remain unchanged.

Looks like a packed house in Cairo tonight but sadly that has not been the case with 90% of the games at AFCON. More here on the empty seats.

Another muggy night in the Egyptian capital with an expected temperature of 29C come kick off at 2100 

Algeria too in their home kit of all white

Senegal in their home green kit tonight

The XI for both sides:

Cameroonian official Alioum Alioum will oversee tonight's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final

Having had numerous tussles in their youth, in domestic French football and also at the AFCON as players, the two now do battle again with historic achievements on the line; Senegal hope to win the tournament for the first time, while Algeria have never lifted the trophy without being hosts.

Old friends Aliou Cisse and Djamel Belmadi go up against each other for a shot at history as the two coaches take centre stage ahead of Friday's Africa Cup of Nations final.

There is little doubt Cisse's Senegal and Belmadi's Algeria have been the two standout sides at the 2019 AFCON, suffering just one defeat combined.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the 2019 CAN final as Senegal face Algeria in the Egyptian heat. Kick-off in Cairo is at 2100 CEST.