Portugal top Group D with Algerian point

Algeria and Portugal played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in Belo Horizonte, which saw the European side claim top spot in Group D at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016.

Goncalo Paciencia scored his third in three games, this time from the penalty spot, before Mohammed Benkablia scored a fine individual goal to level matters.

The opener came midway through the first half, after Carlos Mane made a penetrative run into the Algerian penalty area, with Oussama Methazem sprinting from his line and bringing down Portugal’s No17.

Paciencia stepped up, making no mistake in dispatching past the goalkeeper, who replaced Farid Chaal in the starting XI.

Benkablia then produced the highlight of the game, dribbling past several Portuguese challenges with some outstanding close control, before curling a right-footed effort beyond the reach of the despairing Bruno Varela.

Baghdad Bounedjah, one of Algeria’s brightest players at Rio 2016, created a few chances for himself, including a free-kick from distance which was inches off target.

In the second half, Portugal rather shut up shop, and seemed happy to take the point which guaranteed top spot in Group D.

Report by FIFA/fifa.com