Sports
Algeria 1-0 DR Congo (aet): Boulbina strikes at the death to clinch quarter-final spot
Adil Boulbina scored a 119th-minute winner for Algeria as they beat DR Congo 1-0 after extra time in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.
It looked like the quarter-final spot would be decided by a penalty shootout, but Boulbina had other ideas when he cut inside Aaron Wan-Bissaka and fired into the top-right corner, booking their last eight tie with Nigeria in the process.
Algeria enjoyed 58.9% of possession in the first half, but it was DR Congo who almost went ahead. Cedric Bakambu showed great tenacity to create a chance for himself, which was tipped around the post by Luca Zidane, with Axel Tuanzebe heading narrowly wide from the resulting corner.
Ibrahim Maza registered Algeria’s first attempt in the 42nd minute, dragging wide of the right post from the edge of the box, as they failed to make the most of their continued possession before the break.
It was another cagey start in the second half, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. The first shot on goal after half-time came through Edo Kayembe, whose strike from distance was comfortably saved by Zidane.
Algeria found some rhythm in the closing stages, with Mohammed Amoura and Anis Hadj Moussa testing the goalkeeper, but it was a vital intervention from Zineddine Belaid at the other end which prevented DR Congo from snatching a stoppage-time winner.
Lionel Mpasi made two crucial saves in extra time to deny both Fares Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah at his near post, but the DR Congo goalkeeper could do nothing to keep out Boulbina’s curling strike from the edge of the box with a minute remaining.
They don’t know defeat. Fearless Fennecs. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/h0LuV3F8VQ
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 6, 2026
Data Debrief: Algerian AFCON nightmare continues for DR Congo
Algeria continued to grow as the game went on, and their quality showed in the final stages of extra time. Overall, they produced 0.62 expected goals (xG) from 12 shots to DR Congo’s 0.16 from six attempts.
DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba left it all out on the pitch. He completed the most clearances (13), won seven of his 10 duels, drew four fouls, regained possession three times and registered the most touches for his side (82).
But it was not meant to be for DR Congo, who have only faced Tunisia (four) more times at AFCON without winning than Algeria (P3 D1 L2).
