Algeria fall just short of Italy’s record as they lose for first time in over THREE YEARS and face early exit from Africa Cup of Nations with shock defeat to Equatorial Guinea

Reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Algeria are facing a group stage exit from this year's tournament after a shock 1-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea.

Esteban Obiang's second-half strike proved to be the decisive moment and seal arguably the greatest result in the history of Equatorial Guinean football.

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Algeria, who tasted AFCON glory in 2019, go into their final group match at the foot of Group E with just one point from two matches.

This is the first time Les Verts have lost a match since October 2018. They finished two matches short of Italy's record of 37 unbeaten matches on the international stage, which was set last year.

The north African side had two goals ruled out in a scrappy encounter in Cameroon.

Algeria now need to beat the Ivory Coast in their final group match on Thursday to have a chance of avoiding an early exit from the tournament.

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The other Group E encounter was mesmerising in equal measure as Sierra Leone, who played out a goalless draw with Algeria earlier in the week, pegged back the Ivory Coast twice to claim a 2-2 draw.

Alhaji Kamara's stoppage-time strike, immediately followed by a hilarious lion celebration, sparked the jubilant scenes in the Sierra Leone camp in a match that saw former Tottenham defender Serge Aurier play in goal for the Elephants in the closing stages.