Zinedine Zidane Watches as Son Luca Keeps Clean Sheet on Algeria Debut

Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zinedine Zidane, who represented France at youth international levels before switching allegiance in 2025, recorded a clean sheet as Algeria defeated Sudan 3-0 in their opening Group E match at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Zidane qualifies for Algeria through his father Zinedine Zidane’s Algerian descent and made the transition following FIFA approval earlier this year.

The match, played at the Prince Moulay Al Hassan Stadium in Rabat, saw Algeria take control with a strong performance across all areas, while Sudan were unable to break down the Algerian defence, with Zidane keeping his goal intact throughout the 90 minutes.

The 27-year-old shot-stopper, currently at Spanish club Granada, was named in Algeria’s AFCON squad after an injury to the previously first-choice goalkeeper and stood out with his composure in goal.

The occasion carried personal significance for the goalkeeper, with his father, former France international and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, present in the stands to watch his son make his first appearance for Algeria.

The victory provides Algeria with a positive start to their AFCON 2025 campaign, bolstering their position in Group E as they look ahead to fixtures against Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.

Zidane’s clean sheet highlights a successful start to his tenure with Algeria, as he seeks to establish himself in the senior international arena.