Algeria’s despair after 2022 play-off agony as Djamel Belmadi left devastated | OneFootball

Algeria’s 2022 World Cup play-off exit to Cameroon is revisited in Drame on L’Équipe explore, a defeat that left the nation distraught and hit head coach Djamel Belmadi hardest. According to L’Équipe, the fallout still looms large.

In 43 matches in Blida, Algeria had never lost. They travelled to Douala and won the first leg 1-0, Islam Slimani heading the only goal.

On 29 March 2022, after a second leg full of twists, Karl Toko-Ekambi struck in extra time to end Algeria’s hopes. Belmadi, who had spent part of his coaching career in Qatar, was left devastated.

The episode sets the defeat against a backdrop of refereeing controversy, notably the first goal of the return match ruled out for Slimani. It also shows how play-off heartbreak scarred Italy, Algeria and Egypt, all missing the tournament hosted by Qatar.

After a 12-year absence since reaching the 2014 last 16 against eventual champions Germany, Algeria will return to the World Cup in June.

Source: L'Équipe