RABAT, Morocco (Dec. 24, 2025) (Interstat) — Algeria opened its Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sudan on Wednesday at Stade Prince Héritier Moulay Hassan. Forward Riyad Mahrez led the charge with two early goals, finding the net in the second minute and again in the 61st. Ibrahim Maza added a third in the 85th minute to seal the win. Sudan’s task was complicated by a red card shown to Salah Adil in the 39th minute after he received a yellow in the 14th. The result defied a pre-game projection from Interstat, which had simulated a 1-0 Sudan victory, though its ELO system favored Algeria. The win gives Algeria a perfect start in group play.