The Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 came to a dramatic close as Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire sealed the final two quarterfinal tickets, completing the last-eight lineup and confirming the full quarter-final draw.

In Rabat, the Desert Foxes of Algeria needed every ounce of resilience and patience to edge past the Leopards of DR Congo in a gripping encounter that was decided only in the final moments of extra time. The match at the Moulay Hassan Stadium unfolded as a tactical chess battle from kickoff, with Congo starting brightly, pressing high and moving the ball with confidence as Algeria initially sat deep, waiting for openings on the break.

The opening minutes were intense and physical, with neither side able to dominate midfield. Congo’s early pressure forced Algeria into a cautious approach, but as the first half progressed, the North Africans began to assert themselves, enjoying longer spells of possession and pushing Congo into a compact defensive shape. Despite the growing tempo and several promising set-piece situations, clear chances remained scarce, and the contest drifted into halftime locked at 0–0, a reflection of two disciplined defensive units cancelling each other out.

After the restart, the pattern remained largely unchanged. Congo attempted to increase the tempo through quicker circulation and direct passes forward, while Algeria pressed higher and looked to stretch the pitch. The physical demands of the match began to show, with cramps and minor injuries disrupting the flow and forcing substitutions on both sides. Goalkeepers were called into action sporadically, but neither defense blinked as the clock ticked toward full time.

90 minutes proved insufficient to separate the teams, and extra time followed with fatigue clearly visible across the pitch. Algeria looked slightly more purposeful, committing numbers forward, while Congo gradually dropped deeper, seemingly preparing for a penalty shootout. The pace slowed, fouls crept in, and frustration grew as the second period of extra time neared its conclusion.

Just when penalties appeared inevitable, Algeria found their decisive breakthrough. In the 120th minute, Boulbina unleashed a thunderous strike into the corner, a moment of pure brilliance that shattered the deadlock and sent the Algerian bench and supporters into ecstasy.

The goal proved decisive, and moments later the final whistle confirmed Algeria’s place in the quarter-finals, where they will now face the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

As the Algerian celebrations erupted, a very different mood settled over the Congolese end. Leopard’s fans, who had lit up stadiums across Morocco throughout the tournament, were left devastated by the manner of the exit. Tears flowed among fans wrapped in national colours and traditional attire, their voices finally falling silent after weeks of relentless energy. One figure stood out even in defeat , Michel Kuka Mboladinga, widely known as ‘Lumumba’. Clad in a sharp suit and bearing a striking resemblance to the late independence icon Patrice Lumumba, he had spent entire matches standing still, arm raised in a symbolic pose. His quiet, unwavering presence became one of the tournament’s defining images, a powerful expression of pride, identity and resistance that reflected a fanbase whose passion and creativity helped shape the atmosphere of this AFCON, even as their journey ended in heartbreak.

Later in Marrakech, defending champions Cote d’Ivoire, the Elephants delivered a statement performance to dismantle Burkina Faso 3–0 and underline their intent to retain the title. From the opening whistle at the Stade de Marrakech, the Ivorians took control, pressing aggressively and dominating possession as Burkina Faso struggled to settle.

The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Amad Diallo powered home a precise strike from the right side of the box to give the hosts the lead. That goal lifted the tempo even further, and Ivory Coast continued to swarm forward with confidence and fluidity. Just over ten minutes later, Yan Diomande doubled the advantage, finishing from close range after a slick attacking move that cut through the Burkinabe back line.

Burkina Faso attempted to respond and came close when Dango Ouattara struck the post, but those moments were isolated as Cote d’Ivoire maintained control. The first half ended with the champions firmly in command, both on the scoreboard and in overall performance.

The second half followed a similar script. Burkina Faso tried to push higher in search of a lifeline, but Ivory Coast’s defensive organisation and quick transitions kept them at bay. Fresh legs from the bench allowed the champions to maintain intensity, and in the 86th minute, Bazoumana Touré completed the rout, finishing off a swift counterattack to make it 3–0 and effectively end the contest.

With those two victories, the Round of 16 officially came to an end, and the quarter-final picture was finally complete. Algeria’s dramatic late winner and Côte d’Ivoire’s commanding display ensured that all eight contenders are now known, setting the stage for a thrilling quarter-final phase featuring mouth-watering clashes, including Algeria against Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire against AFCON record holders Egypt, as the tournament edges closer to its decisive moments.