Algeria booked their place within the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging previous DR Congo 1–0 in a tense extra-time battle in Rabat. The Spherical of 16 conflict, performed at Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan, lived as much as expectations as a decent and cautious contest earlier than exploding into life late on.
Algeria got here into the tie filled with confidence after ending their group unbeaten, a run that included a convincing win over Equatorial Guinea, as reported by SoftFootball.
DR Congo, nevertheless, matched Algeria’s depth from the primary whistle and made it clear they’d not be overawed. Early on, neither facet registered a shot, because the stakes of knockout soccer formed a cautious strategy.
Congo regularly grew into the sport, forcing Luca Zidane into motion by way of Cédric Bakambu and Axel Tuanzebe, whereas Algeria struggled to create clear openings regardless of seeing extra of the ball. The fixture had been previewed as a finely balanced encounter, and it performed out precisely that method, in line with SoftFootball’s build-up protection.
The second half adopted an analogous sample, with DR Congo arguably the sharper facet in key moments. Chancel Mbemba went shut after a nook was not correctly cleared, just for Hicham Boudaoui to provide a significant block.
Algeria then made a daring name by withdrawing captain Riyad Mahrez within the seventieth minute, a call that raised eyebrows however hinted at a push for recent vitality slightly than fame.
Additional time introduced urgency and nerves in equal measure. Baghdad Bounedjah flashed a shot broad, whereas Farès Chaïbi was denied by an impressive reflex save from Lionel Mpasi, a second that appeared to push the sport in the direction of penalties. However soccer had one closing twist.
Within the 119th minute, substitute Adil Boulbina collected the ball on the left, lower inside with confidence, and unleashed a fierce right-footed strike into the far nook, assisted by Ramiz Zerrouki. It was his first objective for Algeria, and it despatched the bench and followers into pure celebration.
The win, shared on their official X account, sends Algeria into the quarter-finals for the primary time since lifting the trophy in 2019, whereas DR Congo exit with pleasure after a disciplined and courageous efficiency.
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Subsequent up for the Desert Foxes is a heavyweight conflict with Nigeria, the place effective margins might as soon as once more resolve all the things.
