The media photographer Muhanned al attabi

Algeria continued their title defense, securing a place in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory over already-qualified Iraq on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Bahrain achieved their first morale-boosting win, defeating Sudan 3-1 in the final round of Group D matches at the Arab Cup in Qatar.

Algeria topped the group, finishing with 7 points, one point ahead of Iraq. Bahrain (3 points) and Sudan (1 point) were eliminated, finishing third and fourth respectively.

Algeria will face the UAE in the quarterfinals, while Iraq will play Jordan.

In the first match, Algeria took the lead just before halftime with a header from Mohamed Tougai following a set piece (45+1). They doubled their advantage early in the second half with an own goal after a dangerous cross from Yacine Brahimi caused confusion between goalkeeper Fahad Talib and defender Saad Natiq, with the ball deflecting off the latter and into the net (46).

The Iraqi national team suffered two blows: first, Hussein Ali was sent off with a red card for a reckless challenge on Brahimi in the fifth minute, and then Mohanad Ali was forced off with an injury (32).

After two defeats against Iraq and Algeria, the Bahraini national team secured a morale-boosting victory over Sudan, with goals from Mahdi Abdul-Jabbar (37), Mohammed Al-Rumaihi (79, penalty), and Mahdi Humaidan (89), while Yasser Muzammil scored Sudan’s lone goal (72).

The match also saw Sudan’s defender Mohamed Saeed receive a red card (56).

The media photographer Muhanned al attabi