What You Need to Know
Algeria has advanced to the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0. A late goal by Adil Boulbina in the second extra time secured the win, allowing Algeria to face Nigeria next. This victory marks Algeria’s fourth consecutive win in the tournament.
Africa. Adil Boulbina scored a goal near the end of the second extra time on Tuesday (January 6, 2026) to lead Algeria to a 1-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo, securing a spot in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Boulbina netted the only goal in the dying moments of the second extra time, just six minutes after coming on for Faris Chaibi, saving his team from a penalty shootout.
After the regular time ended in a goalless draw at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with 18,837 spectators present, both teams struggled to create clear chances. Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mbassi excelled in defending against attempts from Baghdad Bounedjah in the second extra time. Boulbina’s goal propelled Algeria into the quarter-finals, where they will face Nigeria, who defeated Mozambique 4-0 on Monday.
A quick attack led to a shot that hit the crossbar, followed by a stunning strike.
The Qatari striker scored the only goal of the match in the 119th minute after receiving the ball outside the penalty area and advancing before unleashing a powerful shot that found the back of the net.
Algeria is set to meet Nigeria in the quarter-finals next Saturday in Marrakech.
The match was cautious between the two teams, with genuine scoring opportunities lacking, except for some crosses that were cleared by the defense and a few counter-attacks that paid off for Algeria in the final seconds, allowing them to score the winning goal.
The Algerian team was more dangerous in the extra time, as Mbassi saved two chances from Baghdad Bounedjah and Faris Chaibi, in addition to a header from Rami Ben Sabaini and a shot from Bounedjah that went off target. The Desert Warriors scored in the 119th minute after a quick attack finished by substitute Adil Boulbina with a powerful shot into the net after hitting the crossbar, igniting great joy in the stands of the “Moulay Hassan” Stadium in the capital, Rabat.
With this victory, the Algerian team secured their place in the next round, achieving their fourth consecutive win in this edition after topping Group E with three victories against Burkina Faso, Sudan, and Equatorial Guinea. The Democratic Republic of Congo, the fourth-place team from the last edition, was eliminated after suffering their first defeat in this tournament.
Algeria joins host nation Morocco, Senegal, Mali, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Egypt in the quarter-finals. This marks the seventh time Algeria has reached the quarter-finals in its history, following 1996, 2000, 2004, 2010, 2015, and 2019.
Quarter-Final Match Schedule for 2025:
Mali – Senegal (Friday 17:00)
Cameroon – Morocco (Friday 20:00)
Algeria – Nigeria (Saturday 17:00)
Egypt – Ivory Coast (Saturday 20:00)
Algeria has a rich footballing history, having won the African Cup of Nations twice, in 1990 and 2019. The national team, known as the Fennecs, has consistently performed well in continental competitions, reaching the quarter-finals multiple times. Their recent success in the tournament highlights their strong footballing tradition and competitive spirit.
The African Cup of Nations is the premier football competition in Africa, featuring top national teams from across the continent. Algeria’s journey in the tournament has been marked by impressive performances, and their advancement to the quarter-finals reflects their status as one of the leading teams in African football.
