2025 Arab Cup: Algeria cruise past Iraq to secure comfortable quarter-final spot

Algeria advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Arab Cup with a composed 2–0 win over already-qualified Iraq at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, sealing top spot in Group D with minimum resistance.

Algeria’s strong start shaped the match almost immediately.

With only five minutes played, Iraq were reduced to ten men when Hussein Al-Saedi was dismissed for a dangerous challenge on Yacine Brahimi, who captained his country from the start for the first time in the tournament.

The referee initially produced a yellow card but, after a VAR review, upgraded it to red, forcing Iraq into early damage-control.

Three minutes later, Algeria believed they had earned a penalty, adding further pressure on their undermanned opponents.

Attentat de Hussein Ali contre yacine Brahimi à la 2 ème minute de jeu. Expulsion directe. L’Irak va évoluer à 10. 🥶🥶🥶#Algérie #LIGUE1MOBILIS 🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/BbNqHRRfsN

— FARID BOUSSALEM (@faridmca1921) December 9, 2025

But VAR intervened for a second time, this time overturning the decision for an offside committed by Mohamed Tougaï in the buildup.

Despite the reprieve, Iraq were unable to establish control and were soon pinned back by sustained Algerian pressure.

Even with the man advantage, Algeria were briefly tested when Houari Baouche was forced into a key block to prevent a dangerous Iraqi effort in the 12th minute.

From that moment on, however, Brahimi became the central figure, orchestrating Algeria’s attacks from the left side.

Gooooooal, Tougai ouvre le score pour la sélection algérienne à la 45 ème minute de jeu. Passe D de Berkane. 🇩🇿🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️#Algérie #LIGUE1MOBILIS 🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/xdcG0KCcc2

— FARID BOUSSALEM (@faridmca1921) December 9, 2025

His early cross forced a save at the near post, and another surging run in the 25th minute nearly created a breakthrough, only for Iraq to intervene at the last moment.

Algeria’s persistence was finally rewarded just before the interval.

A free-kick delivered from the right by Yassine Benzia was flicked on by Redouane Berkane before Tougaï headed in at the far post.

The assistant referee initially raised his flag, but VAR confirmed the goal, putting Algeria deservedly ahead in first-half stoppage time.

Within seconds of the restart, Algeria doubled their lead.

Brahimi again played a decisive role, sending in a cross that the Iraqi goalkeeper could only parry into the path of Saad Natiq, who inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net.

From there, Algeria controlled the match with ease.

La sélection algérienne fait le break à la 46 ème minute de jeu après une énorme mésentente entre le gardien irakien et son défenseur central.#Algérie #LIGUE1MOBILIS 🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/WSEJ13YIHE

— FARID BOUSSALEM (@faridmca1921) December 9, 2025

Brahimi continued to threaten down the left flank, while Adil Boulbina — the standout performer in the previous 5–1 win over Bahrain — was twice denied by the Iraqi goalkeeper from tight angles as Algeria searched for a third.

The result confirmed Algeria’s place at the top of Group D and their passage into the quarter-finals without difficulty.

They will meet the United Arab Emirates on Friday for a place in the last four of the competition.