It was a moment of redemption for Ramy Bensebaini. Just days after making a costly blunder to hand Burundi a goal, he comes off the bench to score a clutch penalty for Algeria that wins them the match against Niger.
The game had little consequences, with the Desert Warriors already wrapping up their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures for the month. But the Borussia Dortmund star's match-winner gives him a confidence boost ahead of his BVB return for a treacherous run of club games ahead.
Cometh the hour, cometh Bensebaini
As we've discussed, Bensebaini has critics divided. One day, he's turning in a Gladiator-like display in defense but on the other, making rookie mistakes or getting himself sent off.
Today, we got to see another side of him, a side that has been redeveloping over the past year, which is a knack for scoring goals.
Remember, the Algerian was the joint-highest scoring defender in the Bundesliga last season with five goals, shared with his Dortmund teammate Nico Schlotterbeck, while registering his joint career-best tally of seven in all competitions.
He'd also bagged a few with Algeria, but none since October 2024. Today, the drought finally ended as Bensebaini was back on the scoresheet for the north African giants.
With head coach Brahim Hemdani ringing in the changes, many of his first-team stars were starting from the bench, including Bensebaini himself. The 31-year-old had completed 90 minutes in both their AFCON qualifying games and was given a much-needed rest here.
But with Niger going in front early and leading at the break, Hemdani was forced to sub many of them in again and it paid off handsomely, as Algeria were able to turn the contest on its head.
Mohamed Belloumi brought the home side level in the 54th minute with a stunning free-kick, before Bensebaini stood over a penalty and neatly converted it for 2-1.
His fellow substitute Adil Boulbina was brought down by a heavy challenge from Niger's Mohamed Abdouramane and Bensebaini turned home the ensuing penalty with a powerful strike into the bottom-left corner.
Algeria's most prolific defender
With his goal today, Bensebaini took his international tally with Algeria to 10, pulling further clear of Aisa Mandi's tally of eight strikes as Algeria's highest scoring defender.
He may never reach Islam Slimani's all-time record of 46 goals, but Bensebaini is setting a new benchmark for goalscoring defenders.
In fact, two more strikes, and he'd be among his country's top 10 best scorers. A remarkable feat for a centre-back.
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