At the heart of Algeria’s fury is a 22nd-minute incident where the ball appeared to strike the arm of Nigeria’s Semi Ajayi.
While match officials determined the ball ricocheted off Ajayi’s thigh first—making it a non-penalty under current IFAB laws—the lack of a formal VAR review left the Algerian camp incensed.
This “perceived injustice” became the catalyst for the post-match pandemonium. As Nigeria prepares for their semi-final against Morocco, the “Desert Foxes” leave the tournament under a cloud of bitterness and potential long-term suspensions for key squad members.
Investigation Status: Ongoing (Video & Referee reports under review)Potential Sanctions: Fines, stadium bans, and individual player suspensions.