Algeria s Riyad Mahrez runs after scoring his side opening goal the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer match between Algeria and Burkina Faso at the Mustapha Tchaker stadium in Blida, Algeria, Tuesday, Nov.16, 2021. AP
African Champions Algeria were already leading Group A with 13 points before the game and needed at least a draw against Burkina Faso, who had 11 points, to reach the final two-legged playoff.
The Desert Warriors twice went in front through Riyad Mahrez and Sofiane Feghouli on 21 and 68 minutes but they were canceled out by a resilient Burkina Faso team as Zakaria Sanogo (37 minutes) and Issoufou Dayo (with a 87th-minute penalty) levelled the score.
Algeria, who have the deadliest attack in the qualifiers with 25 goals in six games, finished on top of the group with 14 points, two ahead of Burkina Faso while Niger came third with seven points and Djibouti finished bottom without any points.
In Group C, Nigeria also secured a point against Cape Verde following a 1-1 draw to reach the playoff round.
Victor Osimhen put the Super Eagles ahead after only one minute but the lead lasted only four minutes as Stopira scored the equaliser.
Nigeria finished top with 13 points, two ahead of Cape Verde.
Liberia beat Central African Republic 3-1 to finish third with six points, leaving their visitors at the bottom with four points.
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