Zidane watches on as son makes AFCON debut in Algeria’s statement win

The floodlights of Rabat shimmered with more than just footballing drama as Algeria opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a commanding 3–0 victory over Sudan on Wednesday. 

Among the spectators in the Moroccan capital was a familiar face to the global game: Zinedine Zidane. The France and Real Madrid legend watched proudly from the stands as his son, Luca Zidane, stood between the posts for Algeria, turning a routine group-stage win into a moment steeped in legacy.

Each time Zidane appeared on the stadium's big screens, waves of cheers rolled through the crowd. Algerian supporters, eager for a revival after two winless AFCON group-stage exits, found symbolism in his presence. Zidane's parents hailed from Algeria, and now his son was representing the Desert Foxes on Africa's grandest stage. It felt like a circle closing.

Algeria wasted no time setting the tone. Just over a minute into the match, Mohamed Amoura's driven ball flashed across the penalty area. Hicham Boudaoui's clever back-heel nudged it perfectly into the path of captain Riyad Mahrez, who took a settling touch before firing home with trademark calm. It was the kind of start Algeria's fans had been craving.

Sudan briefly threatened on the break, but Luca Zidane was alert, darting from his line to deny Yaser Awad Boshara in a one-on-one. It was a quiet but significant moment—proof that the debutant goalkeeper was ready for the responsibility. From there, Algeria controlled proceedings, moving the ball crisply and pressing with confidence.

Sudan's uphill battle became steeper six minutes before half-time when Salaheldin Adil received a second yellow card for chopping down Rayan Ait-Nouri as he surged forward. Reduced to ten men, Sudan struggled to stem the tide. Though Ramy Bensebaini saw a goal ruled out for offside, Algeria's dominance was undeniable.

The breakthrough in the second half came on 61 minutes, and it was a moment of pure artistry. Amoura, brimming with confidence, delivered a sumptuous outside-of-the-boot cross. Mahrez met it with precision, guiding the ball home to claim his eighth AFCON goal at his sixth tournament. When he was substituted late on, the ovation said everything.

The final flourish arrived five minutes from time. Baghdad Bounedjah rose to knock the ball down, and substitute Ibrahim Maza finished decisively to score Algeria's 100th AFCON goal. It was a landmark strike, sealing a performance that combined flair, discipline, and hunger.

For Sudan, the loss extended a long, painful statistic—just one win in 17 AFCON matches since lifting the trophy in 1970. For Algeria, it felt like a statement of intent. And for Zinedine Zidane, watching Luca keep a clean sheet on his AFCON debut, it was a deeply personal triumph—one that blended family pride with national revival under the Rabat night sky.