- Algeria edge DR Congo with a dramatic late goal to book a place in the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals in Morocco.
- Super substitute Adil Boulbina struck a thrilling extra-time winner as Algeria overcame a stubborn but wasteful Leopards side 1–0.
- The gripping 120-minute Round of 16 clash was played on Tuesday, January 6, at the Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan.
Super Sub Adil Boulbina scored a dramatic extra-time winner for Algeria, who edged a stubborn but hapless DR Congo 1–0 to advance to the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarterfinals in Morocco.
The gripping 120-minute Round of 16 encounter was played on Tuesday, January 6, at the Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan, where both sides created numerous opportunities during regulation time but failed to find the back of the net.
Eventually, fortune smiled on the Desert Warriors, who dug deep to claim a hard-earned victory, booking a quarterfinal berth after missing out in 2021 and 2023.
Algeria edge DR Congo 1-0 to reach the quarterfinals
The opening half saw little surprise at either end, as the teams battled on equal terms.
Each produced similar attacking threats, though none sharp enough to find the net, resulting in a cagey affair.
After the break, the pattern continued. Both squads attempted to shift the tempo, yet neither could gain the upper hand, remaining evenly matched in possession and pressure.
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Algeria came agonizingly close to sealing the match in the 84th minute.
A sequence of chances saw Lionel M’pasi initially flap at a cross, block Amoura’s effort, and then recover superbly to deny Hadj Moussa after Abdelli nodded the ball back into his path. The Congolese goalkeeper’s heroics kept his side alive.
DR Congo responded with a golden opportunity of their own in stoppage time.
A delightful cross found Ibrahim Mayele, who timed his leap perfectly and directed a header goal ward, but Himad Abdelli rose at the crucial moment to apply a decisive touch, snatching away what could have been a match-saving goal.
With both teams squandering late chances, the tie was pushed into extra time.
The Desert Warriors controlled the first 15 minutes of the added period, but their openings vanished into thin air as the Leopards’ defense held firm. The third segment also ended goalless, setting up a tense final 15 minutes.
The closing stages saw Algeria press desperately for a breakthrough, only to be thwarted twice by the inspired M’pasi. First, Mohammed Amoura picked out Fares Chaibi inside the box, but the keeper reacted sharply to parry the near-post strike.
Moments later, Bounedjah wriggled free and aimed for the bottom-left corner, yet M’pasi once again produced a superb save.
After a long and exhausting battle, Algeria finally found their moment just two minutes before the final whistle. Breaking forward at pace, Abdelli slipped a perfectly weighted through ball down the left for Adil Boulbina.
The substitute surged onto it, cut inside a tiring Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and unleashed a thunderous strike into the top left corner.
The sensational finish sent Algeria into the quarterfinals at the expense of a resilient but unfortunate DR Congo. The Desert Warriors will now face Nigeria, a formidable opponent, in the next round of the tournament.
Algeria vs DR Congo – AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Lineups
- Algeria: Luca Zidane, Rafik Belghali, Aissa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Hicham Boudaoui, Ismael Bennacer, Fares Chaibi, Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza, Mohamed Amoura
Subs: Mandrea, Benbot, Dorval, Belaid, Atal, Zerrouki, Abdelli, Zorgane, Hadj Moussa, Kebbal, Bounedjah, Bakrar, Boulbina, Berkane. - DR Congo: Lionel M’Pasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Samuel Moutoussamy, Chancel Mbemba, Joris Kayembe, Meschack Elia, Ngal’ayel, Mukau, Theo Bongonda, Noah Sadiki, Cedric Bakambu
Subs: Fayulu, Epolo, Kapuadi, Batubinsika, Bushiri, Kalulu, Pickel, E Kayembe, Kakuta, Mbuku, Essende, Mayele, Cipenga, Banza, Balikwisha