Hey, picture this: extra time ticking down, penalties looming, and out of nowhere, a super-sub curls in a stunner to snatch victory—talk about heart-stopping drama at AFCON 2025!
In a nail-biting clash in Rabat, substitute Adil Boulbina struck in the 118th minute to fire Algeria past DR Congo 1-0, booking their spot in the last eight. Both teams scrapped through 90 minutes and most of extra time in a tense, physical battle where defenses ruled and chances were gold dust.
Algeria dominated early possession but struggled against Congo’s rock-solid backline, while Cedric Bakambu nearly shocked them on the counter with a header just wide. Extra time saw keepers shine—Lionel Mpasi-Nzau denied Fares Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah, but Boulbina’s composure off the bench sealed it with a beauty beyond the keeper. His Man-of-the-Match heroics highlighted Algeria’s depth, sparking wild fan celebrations.
“First of all, thank God. It was a collective effort—not about me,” Boulbina said humbly, as Les Fennecs gear up for a blockbuster quarterfinal against Nigeria in Marrakech on Saturday.
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