Video: A thrilling comeback: Boulbina's brilliance rescues Algeria from Burundi's trap

Algeria drew 2-2 with Burundi on Tuesday in the second round of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Two goals down in the first half, they hauled themselves level after the break.

Things started badly. Burundi took the lead in the fifth minute through an own goal by Farès Chaïbi, who turned Girumugisha's shot inside the box into his own bottom-left corner.

Algeria looked to hit back quickly but fell further behind in the 12th minute, Girumugisha grabbing his second of the game.

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Mohamed Belloumi pulled one back on the half-hour, pouncing inside the area and drilling a left-footed finish into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-1.

Burundi held their advantage to the interval despite Algeria's efforts to draw level.

The second half saw Algeria throw everything forward. Several changes followed as they tried to spark their attack, and a free-kick did the trick. Adel Boulbina buried it superbly in the 63rd minute for the equaliser.

On came Mohamed Amine Amoura and Moncef Bouguerra, then Adel Ouichaoui and Ilan Kebbal, all designed to add firepower. Burundi stood firm in the closing stages.

Algeria almost snatched the winner in the 87th minute. Es-Saadi Redouani rose to meet Adam Zorgane's cross and headed goalwards from a tight angle, only for keeper Jonathan Nahimana to block it.

Younes Hadjam wasted another opening in stoppage time, curling a left-footer from inside the box just wide of the left post.

The final act belonged to Algeria goalkeeper Melvin Mastiel, who saved a header from Burundi's Emmanuel Swedi on the right side of the box. The match finished 2-2.

Algeria moved onto 4 points to top Group Nine. Burundi collected their first point to sit third, provisionally, with Zambia and Togo still to play.