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The Algeria national football team beat the DR Congo national football team 1–0 after extra time on Tuesday to reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The match was played at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. It looked set for penalties before substitute Adil Boulbina scored in the 119th minute.
Boulbina, who plays club football in Qatar, was released on the left side of the penalty area and fired a shot into the net.
Most of the 18,837 fans in the stadium were supporting Algeria and celebrated loudly after the late goal.
Algeria, the 2019 champions, had won all their group matches and now move on to the quarter-finals. They will face the Nigerian national football team in Marrakesh on Saturday.
The result was disappointing for DR Congo, who had hoped to play Nigeria again after beating them on penalties in a World Cup qualifying play-off in November.
Stadium in Rabat on January 6, 2026. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)
The match itself was tight and low on clear chances. DR Congo’s Axel Tuanzebe headed just wide in the first half, while Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza shot narrowly past the post.
In the second half, a long-range effort from Edo Kayembe forced a save from Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
Algeria pushed harder in extra time. DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi made good saves against Fares Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah but could not prevent the late winner.
The goal came after Ramiz Zerrouki played a pass through the defence, and Boulbina finished calmly to send Algeria into the last eight.
