Adil Boulbina scored a dramatic winner in extra time for Algeria to beat Congo 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 match on Tuesday, January 6.
Defending champion Côte d’Ivoire progressed in contrasting fashion with a comfortable 3-0 win over Burkina Faso.
Boulbina left fly for Algeria from the edge of the penalty area to the top far corner of the goal in the 119th minute, sending the majority of fans at the scented Moulay El Hassan Stadium into wild celebrations.
Boulbina was an unlikely hero, making just his second cameo appearance off the bench at the tournament having been included in the squad after featuring for Algeria at the recent Arab Cup in Qatar.
“I have always dreamed of playing for the national team. It is the ambition of every Algerian to play for their country and do well,” said Boulbina, who was in tears at the end. “I had my chance and scored and the most important thing is that we won and qualified for the next round.”
Algerian journalists who celebrated in the press box were warned their accreditation would be withdrawn after their unrestrained outbursts of joy. One journalist inadvertently broke a television screen after jumping on a table.
Algeria will face Nigeria in Marrakech in the quarterfinals on Saturday after the Super Eagles advanced with a 4-0 rout of Mozambique on Monday.
After its initial disappointment, Congo can prepare for a World Cup playoff. The Leopards will face either New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico in March for one of the last spots at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Elephants progress in style
There was no such drama for Côte d’Ivoire in the final second-round match in Marrakech.
Amad Diallo, who already had two goals for the Elephants, opened the scoring in the 20th when he received the ball from Yan Diomande on the edge of the penalty area and surged past two defenders before dinking the ball inside the top right corner.
Diallo returned the favor 12 minutes later for Diomande to make it 2-0 with a low shot inside the left post, and Bazoumana Touré sealed the win on a counterattack in the 87th.
“We fought as a team. Everyone is focused on contributing in whatever way they can. There is also a real chemistry on the pitch, a closeness between us that makes our play more fluid,” said Diallo. “There is a genuine connection, a certain rhythm in the way we play. No one is trying to be the hero or to shine individually for the country.” “If I have the chance to make the pass, I do it. It is instinctive – I give my teammate the ball. That is how we play.”
The defending champion next faces Egypt in Agadir on Saturday for a spot in the semifinals.