Rabat, Morocco – The Algerian national team snatched a dramatic victory from their Democratic Republic of Congo counterparts with a score of 1-0, in the match that brought them together on Tuesday evening, at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium, as part of the round of 16 competitions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The match began with relative caution from both teams, with mutual attempts to impose control and score an early goal, without any real translation into the result.
The first half witnessed a number of dangerous attempts, most notably for the Democratic Republic of Congo, after they missed a clear opportunity in the 26th minute, following a cross from a corner kick which Tuanzebe met with a powerful header inside the penalty area, which went past the post.
Congo threatened Algeria’s goal again in the 34th minute, after another cross was met by Cedric Bakambu with a header from inside the area, but it went past the goal, and the first half ended in a goalless draw.
In the second half, the Algerian team tried to intensify their attacking pressure, and wasted a dangerous opportunity in the 76th minute, after Hadj Moussa penetrated and fired a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area, which was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The match remained a back-and-forth affair between the two teams until the end of regular time without any goals being scored, so the confrontation extended into extra time.
In the 119th minute of the second extra period, Adel Boulbina snatched the winning goal for the Algerian national team, after he launched a rocket shot from outside the penalty area that nestled in the net, giving the “Desert Warriors” a qualification ticket.
With this result, the Algerian national team qualified for the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, setting up a highly anticipated match against the Nigerian national team.
