Even at the age of 34, Mahrez’s big-game pedigree continues to drive Algeria forward.
His leadership and composure remain invaluable for Les Fennecs, as does his ability to deliver in crucial moments for a side that has struggled to find consistency in recent tournaments.
How long he can continue to roll back the years once tougher opposition present themselves remains to be seen.
While Mahrez was playing a key role on the pitch, another mesmeric forward with a magic left foot was watching in the stands, with Zinedine Zidane present to see his son Luca keep another clean sheet, having declared for Algeria in September.
The 27-year-old dealt confidently with Burkina Faso’s late aerial bombardment and long-range efforts, ensuring his side’s narrow lead remained intact following Mahrez’s penalty in the 23rd minute.
Kabore and Georgi Minoungou both squandered promising openings in the first half, while Lassina Traore’s tame header and Edmond Tapsoba’s late effort wide of the target summed up the Stallions’ lack of cutting edge.
Ultimately, Algeria’s defensive resilience and Mahrez’s experience proved the difference.
Securing qualification with a game to spare is likely to restore confidence among coach Vladimir Petkovic’s players, placing Algeria among the tournament’s early pace-setters alongside Egypt and Nigeria.
