AFCON 2025: Boulbina’s extra-time stunner sends Algeria through as Côte d’Ivoire march on

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‎Algeria and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire booked their places in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 on Tuesday, with contrasting victories in Rabat and Marrakesh respectively.
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‎In the day’s earlier kick-off, substitute Adil Boulbina emerged as Algeria’s unlikely hero, scoring a dramatic 118th-minute winner to secure a 1–0 extra-time victory over DR Congo at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat. Later in the evening, Côte d’Ivoire delivered a composed and convincing performance to sweep aside Burkina Faso 3–0 and complete the quarter-final line-up.
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‎Boulbina strikes late to lift Algeria
‎With penalties looming after a tense and goalless contest, Boulbina needed just five minutes after coming off the bench to settle a fiercely contested Round of 16 tie. The forward cut inside from the right and curled a superb effort beyond DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, whose series of fine saves had kept the Congolese side in the contest for much of the match.
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‎The breakthrough finally separated two evenly matched teams who had largely cancelled each other out over 90 minutes and the early stages of extra time. Algeria dominated possession and territory for long spells but struggled to break down a disciplined DR Congo defence.
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‎The Congolese were dangerous on the counter, with Cédric Bakambu forcing Luca Zidane into a smart save in the first half, while Axel Tuanzebe and Bakambu both went close with headers. Algeria responded through Ibrahim Maza before the break, but his effort drifted narrowly wide.
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‎In the second half, Mohamed Amoura squandered a clear chance for Algeria, while Zineddine Belaid produced a crucial block at the other end to deny Fiston Mayele. As fatigue set in during extra time, Mpasi-Nzau continued to frustrate Algeria with outstanding stops from Fares Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah—until Boulbina’s moment of brilliance finally broke the deadlock.
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‎The goal sparked jubilant celebrations among Algerian supporters and earned Boulbina the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award. Algeria now advance to a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against Nigeria in Marrakesh.
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‎Côte d’Ivoire too strong for Burkina Faso
‎Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire underlined their title credentials with a dominant 3–0 victory over Burkina Faso in Marrakesh, continuing their push for back-to-back AFCON crowns.
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‎Amad Diallo was once again the standout performer for Les Éléphants, opening the scoring in the 20th minute before providing the assist for Yan Diomandé’s well-taken second goal 12 minutes later. Diallo pounced on a defensive mix-up to delicately chip the goalkeeper for the opener, then delivered a low cross that Diomandé finished clinically to double the lead.
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‎Burkina Faso threatened briefly before half-time when Dango Ouattara struck the post, but Côte d’Ivoire remained in control for most of the contest. The Stallions showed more intent after the break but found the Ivorian defence well organised and difficult to penetrate.
‎Any remaining hopes of a comeback were ended three minutes from time when Ousmane Diomandé finished confidently on the counter-attack to seal the win.
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‎The victory sends Côte d’Ivoire into the quarter-finals, where they will face record champions Egypt in Agadir on Saturday, as their quest to retain the AFCON title gathers further momentum.