Algeria sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 1–0 extra-time victory over DR Congo in Rabat on Tuesday night, setting up a heavyweight clash with Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

The Desert Warriors were stretched by a disciplined Congolese side and forced into extra time, but found a decisive moment late on when Adil Boulbina curled a superb effort into the top corner to finally break the deadlock.

Algeria dominated possession for long spells, with Riyad Mahrez and Ibrahim Maza both going close in a goalless first half, while DR Congo threatened sporadically, notably through Axel Tuanzebe’s missed header from a corner.

The second half followed a similar pattern, prompting bold changes from both benches as the intensity rose. DR Congo nearly stole it at the death when Fiston Mayele’s header was cleared off the line, sending the contest into extra time.

With penalties looming, Boulbina produced a moment of quality to settle the tie and send Algeria into the last eight.

The victory sets up a mouth-watering quarter-final against Nigeria in Marrakech on Saturday, January 10 a repeat of the 2019 AFCON semi-final, which Algeria won 2–1.