Adil Boulbina struck late in extra time to decide a tight contest against DR Congo, guiding Algeria through to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Adil Boulbina struck late in extra time to decide a tight contest against DR Congo, guiding Algeria through to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The substitute was released down the left by Ramiz Zerrouki, burst beyond Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and cut inside before firing a powerful right-footed effort. The ball arced beyond Lionel Mpasi and dropped in off the underside of the crossbar to settle the tie.
It was a cruel outcome for the Congolese, who had matched their opponents for long periods and appeared set for a penalty shootout before Boulbina’s moment of inspiration.
In a match dominated by defensive organisation, Zinedine Zidane again watched from the stands as his son Luca recorded a fourth shutout of the tournament for Les Fennecs.
The meeting in Rabat produced few clear openings, with both backlines largely on top and the referee allowing a physical approach from the outset.
Algeria’s first surge of noise from the stands arrived midway through the first half when Chancel Mbemba diverted a dangerous low cross narrowly past his own goal after Rafik Belghali advanced from full-back.
At the other end, Cedric Bakambu fashioned an opportunity by winning an aerial duel near halfway but opted to shoot across goal rather than find support, allowing the chance to fade. From the resulting corner, Axel Tuanzebe glanced a header just wide.
After the break, Algeria was disrupted by the injury-enforced withdrawal of Ismael Bennacer, prompting a series of substitutions from both benches as coaches searched for a breakthrough that refused to come in normal time.
Riyad Mahrez, the nation’s most prolific AFCON scorer, was among those withdrawn, and his replacement, Anis Hadj Moussa, was limited to a single driven effort that Mpasi blocked with his body.
The Congolese goalkeeper also thwarted Mohamed Amoura after the forward accelerated clear of Mbemba but failed to find the perfect shooting angle.
DR Congo came closest to ending matters in stoppage time when Fiston Mayele looked set to score, only for Zineddine Belaid to produce a superb retreating header to force extra time.
As the additional period progressed, Mpasi kept his side alive with sharp saves from Fares Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah, both efforts were pushed away low to his right before the decisive blow finally arrived.
The late winner highlighted the balance Vladimir Petkovic has instilled since taking charge, blending resilience at the back with enough creativity to punish opponents when chances arise.
Backed by vast numbers of supporters in Morocco, Algeria have now moved beyond their recent group-stage disappointments and will believe they can frustrate any rival.
Their reward is a quarter-final meeting with Nigeria in Marrakesh, where they face one of the tournament’s most potent attacks after the Super Eagles’ emphatic last-16 victory.
Having edged past stubborn opposition here, Algeria knows they must again rely on defensive discipline if they are to halt a side that has already amassed 12 goals.
