Portugal striker Goncalo Paciencia. (Photo : Getty Images)
A no-bearing game between Africa U-23 Cup of Nations runners-up Algeria (0-2-0, 0 points) and UEFA European Under-21 Championship second-placed team Portugal (2-0-0, 6 points) will be held at the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte on August 10, Wednesday as Group D competitions of the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics men's football tournament is concluded.
Algeria lost both of its games in the first two rounds to remain scoreless so far in the tournament, which officially eliminated them from quarterfinal contention even if they defeat the Portuguese in this match.
Meanwhile, Portugal is assured of a place in the final eight stage no matter what happens in this game against the Foxes after winning their first two matches against Argentina and Honduras in the group stage.
Algeria was nipped by Argentina, 1-2, in their most recent match held at the Estádio Olímpico João Havelange in Rio on Sunday even as the Africans managed to keep the game scoreless in the first 45 minutes, NBC Olympics reported.
Albicelestes' best player, forward Angel Correa of Atletico Madrid, netted the opening goal at the 47th before midfielder Sofiane Bendebka knotted the count at the 64th to give head coach Pierre-André Schürmann a chance to move further in the tourney.
Argentine striker Jonathan Calleri took that opportunity away from them by breaking the deadlock and scoring the winning goal at the 70th.
Meanwhile, Portugal had been dominating so far in their Olympic campaign this summer, convincingly beating Argentina in their opener, 2-0, before pulling off a 2-1 comeback versus Honduras in their second round meeting also in Rio last Sunday, via SB Nation.
A first-minute goal from CD Olimpia striker Alberth Elis gave the surprise lead to La Bicolor Olimpica, but head coach Rui Jorge's side immediately fought back in reclaiming the lead with two straight goals from Tobias Figueiredo and Goncalo Paciencia at the 21st and 36th minutes respectively.
The game went scoreless from there as Selecção Olímpica earned the first quarterfinals slot of Group D.
The predicted result is a 3-1 romp for Portugal.
Algeria starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Chaal; Benguit, Demmou, Keniche, Ferhani; Bendebka, Ait-Atmane, Belkebla; Benkablia, Bounedjah, Haddouche
Portugal starting lineup (4-3-1-2 formation): Varela; Fonseca, Ie, Figueiredo, Esgaio; Martins, Podstawski, Oliveira; Fernandes; Paciencia, Agra
