Algeria secured their first win in six games with a 2-0 victory at home to Benin on Friday night. The AFCON 2019 qualifier, played in front of a sold out stadium, was Djamel Belmadi’s first home match in charge of the Algerian national team.

In a game that was dominated by physical challenges by the opposition, Algeria controlled the first half and took the lead in the 21st minute with a well worked goal from the training ground.

Riyad Mahrez delivered a corner to the far post, which was then cleverly flicked on by Baghdad Bounedjah and Ramy Bensebaini was there to finish from inside the box and send the ball into the back of the net.

The second half saw Algeria did well to withstand a spell of pressure from The Squirrels. And in the 74th minute, the Desert Foxes doubled their lead.

Sofiane Feghouli, who came on as a substitute, flicked the ball on with his head to play Bounedjah through on goal who finished into the far corner as cool as you like.

The result means that Algeria go top with seven points from three games, and Benin remain in second place on four points. The two sides meet again on Tuesday.