AFCON 2025: Quarters-bound Algeria leave it late to heartbreak DR Congo

Two-time African champions Algeria needed a sublime finish from Adil Boulbina with a minute left on the clock to punch their ticket to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter finals after ousting a spirited DR Congo side.

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Algeria progressed to the last 16 as Group E winners, having secured a 100% record in the group phase following a 3-0 win over Sudan, a 1-0 win against Burkina Faso and a 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea.

DR Congo, on the other hand, finished second in Group D with seven points following a 1-0 victory over Benin in their opening match before settling for a 1-1 draw with Senegal and concluded their group stage journey with a 3-0 victory over Botswana.

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The Desert Foxes were the first to settle after the opening whistle was blown, exchanging quick short passes, but their attempted through ball in the third minute by Riyad Mahrez was well dealt with by the DR Congo defense.

The opening minutes of the match were an end-to-end affair, leading up to the 10th minute, with both teams attempting direct passes to the opposition half that did not result in any danger.

The battle to control the game was heavier in midfield, where both teams were pressing with a mid-block, even as tackles flew in with each side giving away fouls as the 20th minute ticked in.

Algeria finally took control of the match thereafter, exchanging short passes, dominating the midfield and dictating the tempo of the match.

However, it was DR Congo who created the match’s first major chance when, from a solo run, Cedric Bakambu burst into the box and tried to place his shot into the bottom left corner, but Luca Zidane was there to make the match’s first save.

The Congolese were back at it again a minute later, but former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe planted his header narrowly wide off the left post after he rose high to meet a corner kick.

In what looked like the Leopards’ moment, Bakambu had his second chance in the 33rd minute, but his header went wide.

Algeria’s notable chance came in the 43rd minute when Ibrahim Maza picked the ball outside the box, and smashed his effort goalwards, but it went wide off the right post with the half-time whistle blowing shortly after.

Vladimir Petković's men came into the second half as a much-improved side, asserting their dominance in the match, but were dealt a blow in the 49th minute when Ismael Bennacer was subbed off with an injury following a tackle early in the half.

With Algeria seeing more of the ball, the Congolese were forced to drop deeper into their half to defend the Desert Foxes, who were asking hard questions of the Leopards' defense.

Congo's first chance of the half came at the hour mark when, from a short corner, captain Chancel Mbemba got to the end of a rebound, but his goal-bound shot was blocked.

Algeria’s next opportunity came in the 69th minute, but Mahrez’ free kick from the right side of attack went over the bar.

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The flurry of opportunities continued five minutes later, this time Edo Kayembe taking a long-range shot that called on Zidane to make a save.

As the 80th minute kicked in, both sides attacked with desperation and caution. Algeria’s Maza showed great awareness inside the box as he latched onto a cross, but his header went inches wide with Mpasi Nzau already covering the Congolese post.

With the full-time whistle on the horizon, both teams got an opportunity to create at least a chance, but were let down by missed passes in the final third, with Egyptian referee Mahmoud Mansur blowing the final whistle to send the match into extra time.

In the first half of extra time, Rafik Belghali earned himself the match’s first booking in the 94th minute for a foul.

In terms of possession, Algeria were controlling the game, with DR Congo opting to defend deep into their first third and wait to hit Algeria on the counter.

The match’s high intensity was clearly getting the better of both sets of players, who struggled to play with a high tempo in the half, with the first period ending without any team creating a chance worth noting.

In the second half of extra time, Algeria increased the match’s tempo and almost took the lead in the 111th minute when Fares Chaibi broke into the Leopards' penalty area and directed a low driven shot towards goal, but Mpasi Nzau was there to make a brilliant save to keep the scores level.

With the game seemingly headed for the penalty shootout, extra-time substitute Adil Boulbina received a brilliant through ball from Ramiz Zerrouki, cut inside to his right and unleashed a thunderbolt that brushed the crossbar and into the back of the net to send the Algerian section of the Stade Prince Moulay Hassan into a frenzy.

The goal killed every shred of fight and hope in the DR Congo team, with the full-time whistle blowing shortly after.

With the win, Algeria booked a place in the quarter finals for the seventh time in their history and will face high-flying Nigeria in a match scheduled for Saturday, 10 January.