By Adedapo Adesanya
Algeria beat Tunisia 2-0 to be crowned the champions of the inaugural edition of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 played in Qatar.
The Desert Warriors settled the game in extra time with goals from Amir Sayoud and Yacine Brahimi to take victory witnessed by FIFA President, Mr Gianni Infantino and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Amir Sayoud scored in the ninth minute of extra-time while Yacine Brahimi scored with the final kick of the game after a breakaway as Tunisia pushed everyone up for a last-gasp corner at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor city.
The win means Algeria now possess both the Arab title and the Africa Cup of Nations which they won in 2019 and are scheduled to defend starting next month in Cameroon.
Tunisia made it to the final by beating fellow African side Egypt 1-0 in the semi-final stage, while Algeria beat the hosts 2-1.
Egypt played Qatar in the third-place game, with the host team emerging 5-4 victorious in a post-match penalty shootout.
Besides the FIFA President and the Qatari Emir, representatives of the FIFA Council and delegates from several member associations were also present in Doha to watch the final games on Saturday.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Mr Patrice Motsepe and his Asian Football Confederation (AFC) counterpart Sheik Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa were also present to witness their respective member associations in action.
According to FIFA, the final game attracted a crowd of 60,456. At half-time, a ceremony was conducted to recognize the efforts of healthcare workers in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
The FIFA President made an on-the-pitch medal presentation to a group of front line health workers who have been supporting the local efforts in this fight.
Following the successful completion of the 16-team tournament, Mr Infantino said the FIFA Arab Cup will not be a one-off event.
“We will make it possible, under the umbrella of FIFA: the FIFA Arab Cup will continue,” said Mr Infantino. “It has to continue [because] it’s such a successful event.”
“It is proof of what football can do; bringing continents together, bringing people together, bringing countries together, bringing fans together, and bringing players together,” he added. “This joy, this emotion, which we have been feeling throughout this tournament – not only in Qatar but in the entire Arab World and all over the world.”
The 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar from November 21 to December 18.
The Al-Bayt stadium, which is modelled after tents used in Qatar’s deserts, will be the venue for the upcoming tournament’s opening match.
Dipo Olowookere