WATCH LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE coverage of the FIFA Arab Cup final - Tunisia v Algeria - from 1:30am (AEDT) Sunday, December 19 on SBS and SBS On Demand, with streams available in and (the Arabic live stream will start from 1:50am).
Maghreb derby
One of African football’s greatest rivalries will write a fresh new chapter on Sunday when Algeria take on Tunisia.
The Arab Cup final will mark the 45th meeting between the two nations and the most significant one yet.
Not since 1963 have Tunisia won the Arab Cup and another victory at Al Bayt Stadium would ensure their rivals’ wait for a maiden title goes on.
Algeria emerged victorious when the two sides last met in June, taking control of their all-time series in the process with 16 wins to Tunisia’s 15.
While that result came in a friendly, it is Tunisia who have dominated the competitive encounters - most recently in the group stage of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
The incredible equivalence between the two teams sets up a must-see match in Al Khor – one that will go down in history for more reasons than one.
Goals, goals, goals
The 2021 FIFA Arab Cup has delivered goals in abundance this past month and Sunday’s final could follow suit.
Qatar has witnessed 81 goals scored across 30 matches thus far and its 2.7 average bodes well for the crucial clash between African rivals Algeria and Tunisia.
The Greens have scored 11 goals in five matches at the Arab Cup compared to Tunisia’s nine, and the final could yet welcome more in Al Khor.
Golden Jaziri
Seifeddine Jaziri has one hand on the golden boot heading into the Arab Cup final, after scoring four goals in five games this month.
Tunisia’s star centre-forward failed to fire against Egypt in the semi-final but will be out to make amends against rivals Algeria on Sunday.
Speaking after his side’s opening Group B victory over Mauritania, Jaziri handpicked Algeria as the one nation he’d want to face in the final, and now, he has his wish.
“Our goal is to win the competition,” the 28-year-old told FIFA.com.
“The Tunisian people deserve the joy it would bring, and we’ll do all we can here to make them happy.”
Adding to his tally at Al Bayt Stadium would be the first order of business for Jaziri, and you feel he won’t stop until he gets it.
First time for FIFA
The first Arab Cup under FIFA’s jurisdiction has been quite the success in Qatar, having replaced the Confederations Cup as the prelude to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
With 16 teams from the Arab world spread across six venues in four host cities, we’ve witnessed a tournament of real significance to all involved.
Just ask Mahmoud Al-Mawas, the Syria star who was reduced to tears after his nation’s failure to progress beyond the group stage; or Amr El Solia, the Egypt veteran whose 95th-minute own goal sent his nation packing in the semi-final.
The tenth edition of the Arab Cup has been nothing short of dramatic, which is why the final between Algeria and Tunisia is sure to deliver the perfect climax.
2021 FIFA Arab Cup final LIVE on SBS
Sunday, December 19
Tunisia v Algeria
1:30am – 4:30am (AEDT)
