Algeria secured a dramatic, hard-fought victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo to book a highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final showdown with Nigeria's Super Eagles. The tense last-16 clash was decided by a moment of pure brilliance deep into extra time.
Boulbina's Thunderbolt Breaks Congolese Resistance
The match at Rabat's Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, seemed destined for a penalty shoot-out. With just minutes remaining in the 120, the deadlock was shattered. Substitute Adil Boulbina, a forward who plays for Al-Duhail in Qatar, was sent clear on the left flank in the 119th minute. He drove into the box and unleashed a ferocious strike that flew into the net, sending the majority of the 18,837 fans into raptures.
A Tense Affair with Few Clear Chances
Despite featuring two of Africa's football powerhouses, the game struggled to reach the expected heights. Both sides lacked precision in the final third. Algeria's captain Riyad Mahrez and exciting youngster Ibrahim Maza were both substituted before full-time. DR Congo's best chance saw Axel Tuanzebe head a corner just wide, while Maza fired narrowly past the post for Algeria in the first half.
The second half offered little more, with a long-range effort from DR Congo's Edo Kayembe forcing a good save from Algeria's goalkeeper Luca Zidane. As the match drifted into extra time, Algeria began to assert more consistent pressure. Congolese keeper Lionel Mpasi made two excellent saves in quick succession from Fares Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah in the 111th minute.
Quarter-Final Implications and Road Ahead
The victory sets up a fascinating last-eight encounter with Victor Osimhen's Nigeria in Marrakesh on Saturday. Algeria, the 2019 champions who won all their group games, now look like serious contenders for a third continental title. For the Democratic Republic of Congo, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. They had hoped to set up another meeting with Nigeria after beating the Super Eagles on penalties in a World Cup qualifier last November.
The Leopards can now only look forward to their intercontinental play-off in March, where victory against either New Caledonia or Jamaica would send them to their first World Cup since 1974. Algeria, having already qualified for the World Cup in North America, remain fully focused on conquering Africa once more in Morocco.
