The Algeria vs DR Congo Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Round of 16 match was full of excitement until the end. Substitute Adil Boulbina scored a late extra-time goal to give Algeria a 1-0 win and send Les Fennecs to the quarterfinals in Marrakesh.
After a tense 90 minutes that ended with no goals, Boulbina’s curling shot in the 118th minute broke DR Congo’s resistance and set off wild celebrations among the Algerian team and their fans.
A Slow Start in Rabat
As the pre-match stories had predicted, the Algeria vs. DR Congo match started out as a cautious battle between two strong African teams, each aware of the knockout stakes.
Algeria dominated possession at first, looking for spaces in DR Congo’s disciplined defense. Meanwhile, the Leopards were happy to take the pressure and hit back on the counterattack.
Algeria had a lot of control over the ball in the first few minutes, with the Desert Warriors having almost 59% possession in the first half and pushing forward with the fast movements of Mohamed Amoura and Ibrahim Maza.
Even though they had the advantage of being in a better position, it was hard for them to find clear openings against a well-organized Congo defense led by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, who made key saves to keep his team alive in the match.
ALSO READ: Nigeria vs Mozambique: Super Eagles Cruise to Quarters in Style
At times, DR Congo threatened during transition. Cédric Bakambu made Algeria’s goalie Luca Zidane make a smart save early on, and Axel Tuanzebe’s corner kick just missed the goal. These were times when Algeria’s defense was put to the test.
Drama Unfolds in Extra Time
As the extra time started in the Algeria vs. DR Congo game, fans began to think that one great moment might decide the tie. Both teams were clearly tired but still fighting for territory and looking for chances.
The Leopards’ goalie Mpasi made two important saves early in extra time, stopping shots from Fares Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah that could have broken the tie.
But with penalties likely to be the deciding factor, Algeria’s coach Vladimir Petkovic turned to the bench and brought on Adil Boulbina in the 113th minute. It was a choice that turned out to be the difference in the match.
Boulbina’s Magical Moment
The Algeria vs. DR Congo match finally had the breakthrough in the 118th minute. Boulbina, who had just come on, got the ball on the right side, beat his marker and then cut inside before unleashing a beautiful curling shot into the top corner of the net that goalkeeper Mpasi‑Nzau could only watch.
Boulbina’s goal was even more dramatic because it came deep into extra time, when players were tired and chances were few. The forward’s technical skill and calmness on the AFCON stage were clear when he found space and delivered under pressure.
Match Stats Show Algeria’s Dominance
The Algeria vs. DR Congo tie was tense and tight, but the stats show that Algeria took control more and more as the game went on.
According to the match analysis, Algeria had more than half of the ball and took almost twice as many shots on goal as their opponents. They also had more shots inside the box, which is a key offensive area.
The Leopards had some good moments, like Bakambu’s early threats and Tuanzebe’s corner-set header, but Algeria’s steady and determined play was the bigger threat overall.
There weren’t many clear-cut chances in the game, which showed that both teams were tactically disciplined. However, Algeria’s goal in extra time showed that they were willing to keep up the pressure and take advantage of any chance that came their way.
Key Players for Algeria
In the game between Algeria and DR Congo, a number of Algerian players got praise. Midfielders and defenders both helped keep the structure and balance of the game by controlling possession for most of the time.
Riyad Mahrez didn’t make a big difference before he was taken off, but his presence and creative threat helped the DR Congo defense get shaky.
Ibrahim Maza also showed some creativity and forward motion, and his runs and movements sometimes got him into the Leopards’ box.
Luca Zidane, Algeria’s goalkeeper, kept his fourth clean sheet of the tournament by making routine catches and smothering shots that came his way.
And, of course, Boulbina’s introduction was the most important thing that happened: his late goal changed the course of a game that had been mostly about disciplined defense and tactical chess between the two teams.
DR Congo’s Strong Resistance
Even though it ended in heartbreak, the Algeria vs. DR Congo match showed that the Central African country are strong and competitive. The Leopards were able to break up Algeria’s passing rhythm and often posed a threat on set pieces and counterattacks, as Bakambu’s early attacks showed.
Goalkeeper Mpasi-Nzau made great saves during extra time that kept DR Congo level and made Algeria have to go for an even later winner. The Leopards can be proud of how they played against one of Africa’s traditional football powerhouses, and his performance was a high point for them.
Even though they lost in the end, Congo DR’s defense and tactical discipline were clear. These are skills that will help them in future competitions, even though they need to regroup after this close loss.
Tactical Patterns: A Game of Patience
The Algeria vs. DR Congo game was all about tactical patience and taking calculated risks, especially during regulation time and extra time.
Algeria used their slightly better possession to slowly build attacks by moving the ball around and looking for openings instead of rushing direct shots. On the other hand, the Congo DR was strong on defense and had sharp counterattacks and threats from set plays.
As fatigue and tactical fouls grew, the physical nature of the contest showed through in the many bookings that were made during extra time. But neither team let reckless challenges get in the way of their game plans, which shows how well both managers taught their players to be disciplined.
Celebration and Quarterfinal Prospects
Algeria’s dramatic late win over DR Congo sends them on to a quarterfinal match against Nigeria in Marrakesh on January 10. This match promises to be even more exciting in AFCON 2025. Les Fennecs’ win keeps their hopes of winning a second continental title in six years alive and shows how good and flexible their team is in tournament football.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic praised his players for being professional and tough, saying that patience and tactical discipline were the keys to their success against DR Congo’s tough challenge.
“I believe we deserved to win based on what our players delivered, and I thank them for that. We controlled two-thirds of the match and played good football, even though we faced some challenges during the game. We played well as a group, dominated the match, overcame difficulties, scored a goal and managed to win and qualify.” CAF Online quotes Petkovic.
Sebastien Desabre, the coach of DR Congo, talked about how proud he was of his team’s effort. He said that even though they fell short, they played hard and were competitive.
“We played a good second half after the changes we made, but during extra time there was a breakdown. We did an excellent job and now we are disappointed… I congratulate the Algerian team and wish them the best. We created scoring chances and could have scored goals, but we didn’t. I have nothing to reproach the players for, and we must keep our heads held high because we gave everything we had.” Sebastian Desabre said after the game, according to CAF Online.
What This Means for Each Country
The Algeria vs. DR Congo game will go down in history as one of the most exciting matches of AFCON 2025’s knockout stage.
It had a late extra-time winner and both teams showed great tactical skill and toughness. For Algeria, the result means they can keep going in the tournament and have a chance to win. It is a painful but honorable exit for DR Congo, and it shows that they can compete with some of Africa’s best teams.
ALSO READ: Egypt vs Benin: Mohamed Salah Scores Late in Egypt’s 3-1 Win
As the quarterfinals get closer and fans look forward to big games, Algeria’s tough win in Rabat will show how exciting and unpredictable knockout football can be on the continent.
Conclusion
The Algeria vs. DR Congo game had everything that makes knockout football exciting: strategy battles, intense physical play, and moments of individual brilliance that were very dramatic. In the last few seconds of extra time, Adil Boulbina scored a stunning goal that gave Algeria a memorable win and kept their hopes alive for AFCON 2025.
DR Congo leaves the tournament with their heads held high after a brave fight, but Algeria are now focused on their next challenge: a quarterfinal match against Nigeria, where the desert warriors will try to keep going in Africa’s top football competition.
