Algeria booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2019, edging past DR Congo 1–0 after extra time at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday night.
Vladimir Petkovic’s side were not at their fluent best but found a decisive breakthrough in the final moments of the round-of-16 clash. Substitute Adil Boulbina came off the bench to score a superb winner in the 119th minute, firing in off the crossbar to settle the contest.
The result sends Algeria into a quarterfinal showdown with Nigeria at the Marrakesh Stadium on Saturday, 10 January. DR Congo, who finished fourth at the 2023 tournament, exit the competition earlier than expected.
The opening half was scrappy, with few clear chances. Algeria enjoyed slightly more possession but struggled to test DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, while the Leopards looked more threatening going forward.
DR Congo created the first meaningful opportunity midway through the first half when Cédric Bakambu chased a long ball and shot from a tight angle, with Luca Zidane pushing the effort away for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Axel Tuanzebe headed narrowly wide, and Bakambu later failed to trouble Zidane with another header from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross.
Algeria’s only real chance before the break came shortly before halftime when Ibrahim Maza cut in from the left and shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.
The second half saw an increase in tempo. Fares Chaibi missed an early opportunity, heading over from Hicham Boudaoui’s cross in the 53rd minute. Edo Kayembe forced Zidane into the first save of the match in the 74th minute with a long-range effort, before Mpasi was called into action moments later to deny Anis Hadj Moussam.
As the match wore on, Algeria began to apply more pressure. Mpasi made a series of saves late in normal time to keep out Mohamed Amoura and Maza, while Moussam shot straight at the goalkeeper after latching onto a loose ball from a corner.
Extra time followed, with both sides appearing cautious as the prospect of penalties loomed. A defensive error from Chancel Mbemba in the 111th minute nearly proved costly, but Mpasi produced another fine save to deny Chaibi.
Just as the match seemed destined for a shootout, Boulbina delivered a moment of brilliance. Cutting inside from the right, he unleashed a powerful strike that crashed in off the crossbar, sealing a dramatic victory for the Fennecs.
Algeria now move on to the last eight, keeping their hopes of a third continental title alive.
