Tunisia gave themselves hope of making the knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations after upsetting Algeria 2-1 victory and edging their North African rivals close to elimination.

A fortuitous Aissa Mandi own goal gave Tunisia the lead just after the break before a calamitous Faouzi Ghoulam back header and subsequent foul on Wahbi Khazri allowed Naim sliti to extend the lead from the spot.

Substitute Sofiane Hanni gave Algeria a late lifeline but it was not enough to deny Tunisia a victory that leaves the sides with very differing prospects of advancing.

The result of Senegal v Zimbabwe could seal Algeria’s fate with Tunisia’s final match against Zimbabwe and Algeria, only on one point, to play Senegal in their last group game.

TALKING POINT

A tale of two penalties. Algeria could easily have been awarded an earlier penalty when Abdennour appeared to foul Slimani in the box but Ghoulam’s sloppy play was the deciding factor.

PLAYER RATINGS

Algeria: Asselah 6, Mandi 6, Ghoulam 5, Bensebaini 6, Meftah 6, Bentaleb 6, Brahimi 7, Guedioura 5, Ghezzal 6, Mahrez 6, Slimani 7. SUBS: Abeid 6, Bounedjah 6, Hanni 7.

Tunisia: Mathlouthi 7, Ben Youssef 6, Abdennour 6, Maaloul 6, Naguez 6, Khazri 8, Sassi 6, Ben Amor 6, Sliti 7, Msakni 7, Akaichi 7. SUBS: Jridi 6, Khinisi 6, Yacoubi 6.