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Catch up with all the action from Algeria vs DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations
Algeria edged past DR Congo after extra time, with Adil Boulbina’s late strike finally separating two evenly matched sides to send the Fennecs into the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
The match was immediately attritional, with both teams struggling to establish any control amid frequent stoppages and fouls.
DR Congo carried a threat in the first half, particularly through Cedric Bakambu, who went close with a header and later forced a save from Luca Zidane after being picked out by Theo Bongonda.
Algeria responded with sporadic attacks of their own, Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Amoura combining on the counter, though clear chances were limited before the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Algeria enjoying more of the ball but finding it difficult to break down a well-organised DR Congo defence.
Ismael Bennacer was forced off through injury early in the half, while both sides saw efforts saved as goalkeepers Zidane and Lionel Mpasi remained largely untroubled.
With the score still goalless after 90 minutes, the match moved into extra time. Algeria began to increase the tempo, creating their best spell of pressure.
Baghdad Bounedjah and Fares Chaibi both tested Mpasi, who produced a pair of important saves to keep Congo level. The visitors struggled to maintain possession as fatigue set in, conceding territory deep into extra time.
The breakthrough arrived in the 119th minute. Ramiz Zerrouki found space on the edge of the box and slipped a pass into Adil Boulbina, who took a touch before curling a right-footed shot into the top corner.
Congo pushed forward in the closing moments but were unable to fashion a worthy response. Algeria saw out the remaining seconds and celebrated wildly at the end after scraping through to the quarter-finals by the skin of their teeth.
