Algeria are through to the AFCON 2025 quarter finals after a dramatic 1–0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo, secured by a brilliant extra-time winner from substitute Adil Boulbina. The Desert Foxes and DR Congo met at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 26 years at the Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, and the contest lived up to its billing as a tense and physical knockout clash.
Both teams struggled to create clear openings early on. Algeria’s first real moment came in the 21st minute when Riyad Mahrez helped recycle a loose ball inside the box, but DR Congo defended the resulting corner comfortably. Just minutes later, Cedric Bakambu broke forward on the counter, testing goalkeeper Anthony Mandrea with a low angled strike that went out for a corner. From that set piece, Axel Tuanzebe rose highest but saw his header drift narrowly wide. Algeria almost struck before the break when Mohamed El Amine Amoura teed up Houssem Maza, whose low driven effort flashed just past the far post.
DR Congo produced another dangerous moment after the restart when Chancel Mbemba found himself free at the back post following a flick-on from a corner, but his shot was blocked by Hicham Boudaoui. As the clock ticked down, both coaches turned to their benches, with Vladimir Petkovic withdrawing Mahrez and Rayan Aït-Nouri in search of new energy. Algeria nearly broke the deadlock late in normal time when Amoura surged forward from deep and forced a save from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
Extra time followed, and fatigue set in as chances became scarce. In the 111th minute Mpasi denied Yacine Adli Chaïbi and then Baghdad Bounedjah in quick succession, keeping DR Congo alive. With penalties looming, DR Congo’s Arnaud Kalimuendo Mbuku saw a deflected effort fall kindly into the arms of Mandrea. Then, in the 119th minute, came the decisive moment. Boulbina combined smartly with Ramiz Zerrouki on the edge of the box before cutting inside and unleashing a spectacular strike into the top corner. The stadium erupted as Algeria’s players poured onto the pitch in celebration.
The victory sends Algeria into the quarter finals, where they will face Nigeria on January 10 as they continue their chase for a third AFCON title. DR Congo, who battled bravely throughout, must now regroup ahead of their World Cup qualifying fixtures in March.
This was the third AFCON meeting between the two nations. Before this match, Algeria had three wins from seven encounters overall, while DR Congo were still searching for their first victory in the head-to-head.
