From our special correspondent in Rabat, Morocco – At the end of extra time, Algeria won the clash of the round of 16 against DR Congo on Tuesday (1-0 ap). Both teams delivered top performances despite the lack of goals. Boulbina delivered his own on the gong.
Published on: 01/06/2026 - 7:36 p.m. Modified on: 01/06/2026 - 7:40 p.m.
An indecisive duel from start to finish. In a match that could have gone to both sides, Algeria defeated the Leopards of DR Congo in a round of 16 that lasted 120 minutes.
A fiery atmosphere
This is the harsh law of knockout matches. There must only be one left and too bad if we are talking about a clash between two of the most exciting teams in the first group. No more confrontations between top seeds and miraculous draftees, this is a shock which, with a better draw, could almost have been a final.
The thread of the match Algeria - DR Congo: the Fennecs qualified in the quarters on the wire against the Leopards
The atmosphere in the stands also went up a notch for this poster. The Algerians, supported by a few Moroccan “brothers”, made the trip in large numbers. But the Congolese fans, faithful to their reputation as cheerful entertainers, are also there, massed behind the goals.
On the pitch side, faces are closed and concentrated, each of the 22 players chosen at kick-off knows that they are facing the biggest challenge to date in this CAN, and that they no longer have a safety net. Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic trusts young Ibrahim Maza, established to make the difference up front.
Tuanzebe and Mbemba, masters of the air
The Bosnian coach's men decided to take the game into their own hands from the start of the match. The Fennecs launch their offensives but come up against a disciplined Congolese block. Crosses, free kicks and other corners follow one another but the Tuanzebe and Mbemba control towers are there (7th, 10th, 17th, 21st, 31st).
The Congolese defense has a job. She does not hesitate to be very harsh on the man outside of her surface. Mahrez and Amoura are also paying the price. But, once within its 16 meters, the Leopards become angels.
With its defensive base firmly in place, the DR Congo does not hesitate to rush towards the opposing goal at the slightest possibility of a rapid and risk-free transition. Bakambu steals a ball from the defense and faces Zidane. He takes his chance from an impossible angle, which Zidane diverts, forgetting Wan-Bissaka alone in front (25th). Then, Tuanzebe almost found the fault on a corner (26th).
Bennacer on the ground
The best opportunity of the first half, closed but pleasant, remains to the credit of the Greens. Served by Amoura, Ibrahim Maza orients himself well and launches a shot from the left, on the ground, which misses Mpasi's goal (43rd).
Returning from the locker room, Sébastien Desabre asks his team to play a step higher to increase the pressure on the Algerians. There is panic among the Fennecs after the exit of Ismaël Bennacer, injured in the thigh and replaced by Himad Abdelli.
A few minutes later, it was Rami Bensebaini who had to go out for treatment after a shock over a misunderstanding with Zidane. The DR Congo takes advantage of a corner without the Algerian turret and it almost hits the mark. Boudadaoui throws himself on a powerful shot from Chancel Mbemba which hits the heart of the area (59th).
DR Congo underwater
Shocks multiply and opportunities become rarer. Riyad Mahrez, generally discreet, sends an off-center free kick above the Mpasi cage (67th). The captain with three goals leaves immediately (70th).
Zidane is vigilant on a long shot from Kayembe (74th), Mpasi on that of Moussa (78th). The Congolese is also vigilant about Amoura's breakthrough, forced to try his luck due to the lack of support (79th).
Algeria increased the pressure in the final minutes and the Congolese defense panicked. Mpasi has a lot to do to thwart the multiple attempts. But, against the flow of play, the incoming Mayele failed to carry out the perfect operation, stopped by the intervention of Belaid (90th + 1).
Undecided until the end
Overtime begins and the teams leave for an observation round, aware that the slightest mistake could cost the quarter-final. The match became tense and the cards rained down: four although none had been taken out in regulation time.
DR Congo is struggling physically and Algeria is pushing to make the difference. Each acceleration hurts the Leopards defenders. The Mpasi pillar keeps watch, especially in front of Chaibi (111th).
Also read: The complete table and posters for the CAN 2025 quarter-finals
But the wall ends up cracking. Shortly after his entry, Boulbina, served by Zerrouki, sent a missile into the top corner of the Congolese goalkeeper (1-0, 119th).
Vladimir Petkovic won his tactical duel. His replacements made the difference. After a convincing first round but without real opposition, the Fennecs have just sent a message: they have come to their neighbors to lift the trophy. Next step: another shock against Nigeria.
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