Algeria needed an extra-time goal from Substitute Adil Boulbina to eliminate DR Congo and reach the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals.
The contest at Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat had ended goalless after 90 minutes to necessitate extra-time.
Boulbina, after collecting from Ramiz Zerrouki, fired from mid-range into the top corner, far beyond goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau’s reach to break the deadlock and sink DR Congo hearts.
DR Congo had proved resilient and were two minutes away from shootouts before Boulbina moment of magic.
DR Congo had created some good chances; Cedric Bakambu came close midway through the first half, forcing Luca Zidane into a smart save, Fiston Mayela was denied by the goalkeeper while Axel Tuanzebe’s header from the resulting corner drifted narrowly wide.
But Algeria looked the dominant side, Ibrahim Maza shot inches wide while Mohamed Amoura squandered a golden opportunity with 12 minutes remaining, failing to bend his shot beyond Mpasi-Nzau.
Algeria now advance to a quarter-final showdown against Nigeria in Marrakesh.