Benin secured their first win in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after defeating Mauritania 2-1 in Abidjan on Tuesday.
Rodolfo Aloko was the hero for the Squirrels, scoring twice to give them a two-goal advantage before Mauritania pulled one back from the penalty spot.
Aloko opened the scoring in the 31st minute after Charlemagne Azongnitode’s header set him up, with the forward finishing with his left foot to put Benin ahead.
He doubled the advantage immediately after the restart, finding the net in the 46th minute with his right foot after receiving a cross from Yamirou Ouorou.
Mauritania were handed a route back into the contest in the 66th minute when Azongnitode conceded a penalty and was booked.
However, Djeidi Gassama failed to convert the spot-kick, with the Benin goalkeeper making the save.
The visitors were awarded another penalty in the 79th minute, and Aboubakary Koïta made no mistake from the spot a minute later to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Benin coach Gernot Rohr made a series of substitutions as his side sought to protect their lead, and the Squirrels held on through four minutes of added time to claim all three points.
The victory leaves Benin with four points from two matches, following their 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso in their opening qualifier.
