If Algeria and Egypt (1-1) drew this Monday evening in the United Arab Emirates, an off-field action attracted all the attention. A few seconds after Egypt opened the score, in the 63rd minute of play, Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi made a change, Houssem Aouar replacing Said Benrahma. A decision not taken well by the West Ham striker who did not look at or greet his coach when he left the pitch. The Fennecs coach then grabbed his player by the collar before coming close to coming to blows.
A lunar scene immediately played down by the main person concerned. “What happened with Benrahma are things that happen, locker room things. He came out, he wasn’t happy, I wasn’t happy, that’s all!” declared Belmadi, annoyed with the journalists, in a post-match press conference.
Qualified for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Algeria had the merit of reacting after this incident thanks to Islam Slimani's equalizer in added time.