Argentina defeated Algeria 2-1 in Rio at the Olympic Stadium to pick up three invaluable points.
Both teams have one good chance, but lackluster play dominates the first half
After a few half-chances by Algeria in the opening minutes of the match, Argentina would have the first real opportunity. In the 10th minute, Angel Correa, arguably Argentina’s best player, quickly uncorked a shot from just outside the penalty area that went inches wide of the post, Algeria lucky not to be behind. The Algerians were poor in the first half of its first match against Honduras before coming to life in the second half of that contest. They, for the most part, looked lively in the first half of this game as they attacked with spirit and gusto any time an opportunity was to present itself and it was clear that they had the ability to produce chances when they ventured forward.
Correa would have his second decent strike on goal when he fired a blast in the 30th minute that had to be parried aside by Algerian goalie Farid Chaad, the South Americans wondering if they would ever catch a break. Both teams would continue to apply pressure on each other for the remainder of the first half, but quality scoring chances were few and far in between. Algeria had a golden chance to take the lead in the 43rd minute.
Forward Baghdad Bounedjah ran onto a long ball played over the Argentina backline by midfielder Mohammend Benkmessa and he was in on goal, but his lob was saved by Argentina goalie Geronimo Rulli. Just a minute later, Argentina defender Victor Cuesta, who was cautioned earlier on in the match, received his second yellow and was subsequently shown a red card after fouling Bounejdah outside the penalty area and Argentina was now down to 10 men. The ensuing free kick was easily saved by Rulli and, at halftime, it was a 0-0 stalemate.
Argentina wins with late goal after both teams go down to 10 men, Algeria eliminated from the Olympics
Right out of the second half gate, the stalemate was no more. Argentina forward Jonathan Calleri outjumped his opponent and directed a header towards the Algerian goal and into the penalty area. Correa reacted the quickest, ran onto the ball and calmly finished past Chaal with his left foot to give his country the 1-0 lead. While Argentina's lead didn't last that long, the numerical disadvantage it had on the field ended as well. Algerian defender Ayoub Abdellaoui was sent off in the 67th minute due to a high boot foul after picking up his second yellow card of the match.
Both teams were now playing with 10 men. Minutes after the Algerian red card, Argentina would score what would prove to be the decisive goal in the 70th minute. Correa and Calleri linked up for a nice interchange at the edge of the penalty area which resulted in Calleri attempting to dribble around Chaal in order to finish. However, Chaal made contact with the ball which then richocheted off Calleri and into the net for the score, an unfortunate mistake giving Argentina a 2-1 lead.
The rest of the second half was spent with Algeria pressing Argentina in search of a tying goal. The South Americans had quite a few opportunities on the counter attack and came close to icing the game in the 85th minute. Cristian Pavon ripped a shot off the post after being played in on goal with the entire Algerian team caught up the field. In the final five minutes, Algeria tried to muster the tying goal, but the now Group D cellardwellars ran out of time and Argentina picked up three massive points.
Argentina wraps up group stage play against Honduras on Wednesday while Algeria plays their last game of the tournsment against Portugal.