Adil Boulbina scored a sensational extra-time winner to fire Algeria into the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, as the Desert Foxes edged past DR Congo 1–0 after 120 tense minutes of football.
The victory marks Algeria’s first appearance in the AFCON quarter-finals since lifting the trophy in 2019, ending a run of early exits and restoring belief among the North African giants.
With the tournament entering the knockout phase, caution dominated the early stages of the contest. Despite both sides scoring a combined 12 goals during the group stage, neither Algeria nor DR Congo managed to register a shot in the opening 15 minutes, highlighting the high stakes and nervous approach from both teams.
The game eventually showed signs of life just before the half-hour mark, with DR Congo carving out the first clear opportunities. Cédric Bakambu forced a fine save from Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, who turned his effort around the post, before Axel Tuanzebe narrowly missed the target with a header from the resulting corner.
Beyond those moments, the first half lacked rhythm and intensity, as both teams appeared reluctant to take risks in a tightly contested battle for progression.
After the restart, DR Congo emerged with renewed purpose and applied sustained pressure on the Algerian defence. Chancel Mbemba came close after a scramble in the box following a corner, but Hicham Boudaoui produced a crucial block to keep the score level.
Algeria attempted to shift the momentum with changes from the bench, including the surprise withdrawal of Riyad Mahrez. However, it was still DR Congo who looked the more dangerous side, with Edo Kayembe testing Zidane from distance with a powerful strike that required a sharp save.
Opportunities remained scarce for Algeria, though Anis Hadj-Moussa briefly threatened before seeing a tame effort comfortably claimed by DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. With neither side able to find a breakthrough in normal time, the contest moved into extra-time.
Algeria raised the tempo during the additional 30 minutes and nearly struck through Baghdad Bounedjah, whose left-footed effort flashed narrowly wide after bursting into the penalty area. Fares Chaibi then went agonisingly close, only to be denied by a superb reflex save from Mpasi, a moment that seemed destined to send the tie to penalties.
However, heartbreak awaited DR Congo in the dying moments. In the 119th minute, Adil Boulbina surged down the left flank and unleashed a thunderous strike into the far corner, sealing a dramatic victory for Algeria and crushing Les Léopards’ hopes of reaching consecutive AFCON quarter-finals.
Algeria now march on with renewed confidence as they continue their quest for continental glory.
0 Comments