Algeria will face Nigeria in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging DR Congo 1–0 after extra time in their round-of-16 encounter in Rabat on Tuesday.
Substitute Anis Boulbina scored the decisive goal in the 119th minute, unleashing a powerful strike into the top corner to break the deadlock in a tense contest that had ended goalless in regulation time.
The opening 90 minutes produced few clear-cut chances, with both sides cancelling each other out in midfield. Goalkeepers Luca Zidane for Algeria and Dimitry Mpasi of DR Congo made crucial saves to keep the scoreline level.
Algeria dominated possession for long spells but struggled to break down a disciplined DR Congo defence. The Leopards nearly stole victory in stoppage time when Fiston Mayele’s header was deflected just wide.
Extra time saw the North Africans create the clearer opportunities before finally finding a breakthrough at the death. Boulbina combined smartly with Ismaël Bennacer, cut inside, and curled an unstoppable effort past Mpasi to score his first senior international goal.
The victory sets up a highly anticipated quarter-final showdown against Nigeria, who secured their place in the last eight with a commanding 4–0 win over Mozambique on Monday.
The Super Eagles will face Algeria on Saturday, January 10, at 5 p.m., as Nigeria continue their quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title.