Sports
AFCON 2025: Super-Sub Boulbina’s Extra-Time Stunner Sends Algeria to Quarter-Finals
Substitute Adil Boulbina struck deep into extra time to send Algeria into the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, sealing a dramatic 1–0 victory over DR Congo in Rabat.
With penalties looming after a tense, goalless 90 minutes, Boulbina delivered the decisive moment in the 118th minute, just five minutes after coming off the bench.
The forward cut inside from the right before curling a superb effort beyond goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, whose outstanding display had kept DR Congo level for much of the contest.
The breakthrough finally separated two evenly matched sides who cancelled each other out throughout regulation time and the early stages of extra time in a fiercely contested encounter marked by discipline, physicality, and missed chances.
Algeria started brightly, dominating possession and territory early on, but struggled to carve out clear chances against a well-organised Congolese defence. Despite sustained pressure, Mpasi-Nzau was rarely troubled in the opening stages.
DR Congo gradually grew into the game and looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Cedric Bakambu came close midway through the first half, forcing Luca Zidane into a sharp save, while Axel Tuanzebe’s header from the resulting corner drifted narrowly wide. Bakambu then headed just past the post moments later from an Aaron Wan-Bissaka cross.
Algeria responded before the break when Ibrahim Maza surged forward on the counter, but his low strike flashed inches wide.
The pattern continued after the interval, with Algeria probing and DR Congo threatening sporadically. Mohamed Amoura missed a golden chance with 12 minutes remaining, failing to bend his effort beyond Mpasi-Nzau. At the other end, Zineddine Belaid made a crucial intervention to deny Fiston Mayele from close range.
As fatigue set in during extra time, the tempo increased. Mpasi-Nzau produced two outstanding saves to deny Fares Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah, seemingly pushing the match toward a penalty shootout.
However, Boulbina had other plans.
His moment of brilliance in the dying minutes finally broke Congolese resistance, sparking jubilant celebrations among Algerian players and supporters.
Algeria will now face Nigeria in the quarter-finals in Marrakesh, as Les Fennecs continue their quest for a second AFCON title in six years.
Man of the Match
Adil Boulbina (Algeria)
“First of all, thank God. Congratulations to Algeria and to the fans. I came onto the pitch late and scored, but it is a collective effort and not about me. It is a great feeling for the team.”
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