IVORY COAST

Sylvain Gbouhou 6

Aerially commanding but marred his performance with time-wasting tactics. Some communication issues with his defenders need to be worked on.

Serge Aurier 7

Solid as ever. Always an outlet on the right and has been willing in recent games to sacrifice his attacking game for the greater common good.

Eric Bailly 7

Wonderful dash forward in the build up to the opening goal and led the way with 8 interventions, but miscommunicated with his fellow defenders on a few occasions, including for Soudani’s goal.

Kolo Toure 6

Not as impressive as he was against Cameroon but an okay performance by the veteran.

Wilfried Kanon 6

Wiser with his ball usage this time, a quietly solid game before being exposed once Renard switched systems to a back four and he be deployed at left back.

Siaka Tiene 6

Not as involved as Aurier on the other wing. The man sacrificed as Herve Renard sought a winning goal.

Serey Die 8

Passion personified. Disruptive with his fouling, did a good bodyguard job on Brahimi and contributed in attacking sense with two key passes.

Yaya Toure 6

Still doesn’t look at his very best but produced an assist for Bony’s second goal and was more involved.

Max Gradel 8

Led from the front with 6 tackles and 3 key passes, the most by an Ivorian player in both categories. Superb cross for Bony’s opening goal.

Gervinho 7

Added energy and a genuine threat to the Ivory Coast attack, even if sporadically. Rewarded with the breakaway late goal on his return from suspension.

Wilfried Bony 8

More involved in the action in this game. His aerial prowess troubled the Algeria backline and he had two headers to show for it.

Notable substitutions

Cheick Doukoure 6

Came on to add more numbers into the Ivorian midfield when momentum was with Algeria. Decent cameo.

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ALGERIA

Rais M’Bolhi 6

Wasn’t called into action much. There was little he could do about the Ivory Coast goals.

Aissa Mandi 6

Given a slight workout by Gervinho but largely solid and consistent. An understated member of this Algeria team.

Madjid Bougherra 6

Let Bony escape him for the first goal, a rare lapse for the experienced defender.

Carl Medjani 6

Didn’t have much to do and didn’t do much wrong.

Faouzi Ghoulam 6

With a busy Gradel and Aurier to handle, the Napoli man wasn’t as involved down his wing as he usually is. Left Bony free for his second goal.

Nabil Bentaleb 6

100% passing success rate but didn’t have too much of an impact on the game.

Saphir Taider 6

Contributed well defensively but offered little in attack.

Riyad Mahrez 5

Beaten easily by Bailly in the lead up to the goal, was nullified by Aurier and co. before the assist for Soudani. Eventually substituted.

Yacine Brahimi 7

Looked Algeria’s most dangerous player despite Ivory Coast persistently fouling him.

Sofiane Feghouli 6

Quiet first half but grew as the game went on, causing Renard’s side problems when they changed to a back four.

Hillel Soudani 6

Got his goal in the end but just doesn’t bring the well-rounded attributes that Islam Slimani brings to the role.

Notable substitutions

Islam Slimani 6

Not fully fit and didn’t make any sort of impact.

Ishak Belfodil 7

Proved a nuisance again when he entered, little end product though.