Algeria bounced as Senegal, Tunisia advance
If there's one thing certain about the Africa Cup of Nations, it's the unpredictability of it all.
Few know that better than Algeria, who on Monday was sent packing from the continent's top tournament after failing to secure one of eight spots in the knockout stage.
Sitting third in Group B ahead of the day's fixtures, the Desert Warriors needed a victory over group-winner Senegal and for Tunisia to drop points against bottom-dweller Zimbabwe.
Tunisia dominates minnow Zimbabwe
Courtesy of a quartet of first-half goals from Naim Sliti, Youssef M'Sakni, Taha Khenissi, and talisman Wahbi Khazri, Tunisia made quick work of an underwhelming Zimbabwe side to book a spot in the last eight at Algeria's expense with a 4-2 victory.
With Algeria and Senegal the presumptive favourites in Group B, Tunisia quietly went about its business led by left winger Khazri, with the Eagles of Carthage's teamwork no more evident than on M'Sakni's goal.
Even with a pair of delightful finishes from Knowledge Musona and Tendai Ndoro on either side of the interval, Zimbabwe suffered thanks to indiscipline at the back and momentary lapses of judgment by young shot-stopper Tatenda Mkuruva.
While Tunisia ran Zimbabwe out of Libreville, Algeria could do little besides worry about its clash with a star-studded Senegal.
Frustrating Algeria ousted
Monday's result in Franceville confirmed Algeria's early exit, though Riyad Mahrez and Co. will rue a draw in its opener with Zimbabwe and a loss to Tunisia four days later as the results that sunk the Dessert Warriors' lofty ambitions.
With Senegal having already secured top spot in the group, Lions of Teranga boss opted to rest many of his first-team standouts. Liverpool stud Sadio Mane was held off the pitch, as was Premier League defensive-midfield tandem Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate and Serie A standouts Kalidou Kouyate and Keita Balde.
Even in the face of near-insurmountable obstacles, Algeria was handed an early hope when Leicester City striker Islam Slimani opened the scoring in the 10th minute.
That optimism would soon turn to despair when Espanyol's Pape Diop scored moments before the break. Slimani and Foxes teammate Mahrez pulled one back minutes after the break, only for Fenerbahce bastion of bicycle kicks Moussa Sow to dash whatever belief the Algerians had a minute later.
Despite a late rush, the result in Franceville would finish 2-2, as Algeria heads home the disappointment of the tournament to date.
Senegal will now face fellow continental behemoth Cameroon in the last eight, while upstart Tunisia locks horns with surprise Group A winner Burkina Faso.