Algeria vs Congo DR Player Ratings: Narrow 1-0 Win Sees Les Fennecs Reach Quarter-Finals in AFCON

A brilliant night of football in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout clash between Algeria and Congo DR turned into a brutal test of patience, discipline, and nerve.

Algeria and Congo DR went toe-to-toe in an interesting knockout clash, locking horns in a tactical battle where every yard of grass was fought for. For long stretches, the two sides simply cancelled each other out.

Both defences were on top, as both teams allowed less space in midfield, and neither side was willing to take unnecessary risks. Congo DR arguably looked the sharper going forward, creating a few promising openings, with Cédric Bakambu constantly testing the Algerian backline. However, when it mattered most, the final touch let them down.

At the other end, Algeria National Football team struggled to find a way through a stubborn Congolese defence. Much of that resistance was inspired by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, who produced a series of calm, commanding saves to keep his side alive. As the minutes ticked away at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, the tension became unbearable, and a penalty shootout felt inevitable.

But football often turns on the smallest of moments.

Deep into extra time, one of the best African teams, Algeria, finally found that one decisive touch, just enough to break Congolese hearts and tilt the contest their way. It was cruel on Congo DR, who had defended heroically, but a reward for Algeria’s persistence and belief.

A 1-0 scoreline by Adil Boulbina settled a match that will be remembered more for its grit than its glamour, as Algeria booked their place in the quarter-finals. Sportsdunia brings you the detailed Algeria vs Congo DR Player Ratings from this hard-fought AFCON battle.

Algeria Player Ratings vs Congo DR

Goalkeeper

Luca Zidane - 7.0: A relatively quiet evening for the most part, but he was alert when called upon. Made a couple of important saves, including a key one from Edo Kayembe's long-range effort. His handling was secure, and he showed good command of his area, claiming high balls well. A clean sheet in a knockout game is all you can ask for.

Defenders

Rafik Belghali - 5.5: A difficult night for the full-back. He looked vulnerable at times and was booked for a cynical foul in extra time. He struggled to make a positive impact going forward, losing possession far too often for our liking. It wasn't his best performance, and he seemed a step off the pace.

Aïssa Mandi - 7.5: A rock at the back. His experience showed as he was calm and composed throughout. We noticed his passing was exceptional, completing 88 passes with a 91% accuracy rate, often starting attacks from deep. He made a massive 8 clearances and was a key reason for the clean sheet.

Ramy Bensebaini - 7.5: A warrior's performance. He was dominant in the air, winning 5 aerial duels, and wasn't afraid to get stuck in, winning 9 duels overall. He was dribbled past a few times which was a slight concern, but his 7 clearances and constant disruption of Congo DR's forwards were crucial. A very physical and effective display.

Rayan Aït-Nouri - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular outing before being substituted. He was tidy in possession with 94% pass accuracy and did his defensive duties without much fuss. Didn't offer a huge amount going forward but he didn't make any costly errors either. A steady performance.

Midfielders

Hicham Boudaoui - 8.0: What stood out to us was his incredible work rate. He was everywhere in the midfield, breaking up play with 5 tackles and driving his team forward. He won 9 duels and also showed his creative side with two key passes. An all-action performance that was vital to his team's control of the middle of the park.

Ismaël Bennacer - 6.0: His evening was cruelly cut short by injury just after halftime. Before that, he was his usual tidy self, drawing fouls and keeping possession ticking over. It's a shame we didn't get to see more from him as the game opened up. Hopefully, the injury isn't too serious.

Riyad Mahrez - 5.5: A surprisingly subdued performance from the captain. He struggled to impose himself on the game and was well-marshalled by the Congolese defence. He had one shot off target and was eventually substituted. We expected more from a player of his calibre in such a big game.

Forwards

Farès Chaïbi - 6.5: A frustrating night for the attacker. He put in a lot of crosses, ten in total, but only one found its mark. He worked hard and had a couple of shots, but the final product was often lacking. He never stopped trying to make something happen which we have to commend.

Ibrahim Maza - 6.0: Looked lively at times but struggled to find a way past the stubborn Congo DR defence. Had a couple of shots from distance that didn't trouble the keeper. He lost possession a bit too easily and was dispossessed twice before being subbed off.

Mohamed Amoura - 7.0: Algeria's most consistent threat. He was always looking to make runs and take on his man, creating three chances for his teammates. He forced a good save from the keeper and was a constant thorn in the side of the opposition. His energy was infectious.

Substitutes

Baghdad Bounedjah - 7.5: The hero of the hour. Came on late and provided the decisive moment that his team was crying out for. He had one chance and took it, showing the clinical edge his teammates had lacked all night to score the winner.

Anis Hadj Moussa - 6.5: Injected some directness after coming on for Mahrez. Forced a good save and was always looking to be positive, though he did pick up a yellow card.

Zinéddine Belaïd - 6.5: Came on to shore things up and did his job effectively, helping to preserve the clean sheet through extra time.

Himad Abdelli - 6.5: Replaced the injured Bennacer and kept things steady in midfield without pulling up any trees.

Manager

V. Petković - 7.5: His team wasn't at their fluent best, but they found a way to win, which is all that matters in knockout football. His substitutions ultimately made the difference, with Bounedjah grabbing the all-important goal. He deserves credit for keeping his team focused and persistent through a very tough 120 minutes.

Congo DR Player Ratings vs Algeria

Goalkeeper

Lionel Mpasi-Nzau - 8.5: Absolutely outstanding. From our perspective, he was the best player on the pitch. He made five crucial saves, four from inside the box, to keep his team in the game for so long. He commanded his area with authority and was incredibly unlucky to be on the losing side. A heroic performance.

Defenders

Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 5.0: A really tough evening for the right-back. He lost an incredible 27 possessions and won only a quarter of his duels. While he made a couple of tackles, he was a liability on the ball and looked defensively suspect against Amoura. A performance he will want to forget quickly.

Axel Tuanzebe - 7.5: A strong and powerful display at the heart of the defence. He won all of his duels and made six crucial clearances. His passing was also crisp and accurate. He was a major reason why Algeria struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the game.

Chancel Mbemba - 7.0: The captain led by example with a typically committed performance. He made a staggering 12 clearances and was a colossal presence. However, he was caught out a couple of times, leading to a yellow card and an error that led to a shot. A mostly dominant but slightly flawed display.

Joris Kayembe - 7.0: A very solid defensive performance from the left-back. He made 7 clearances and was strong in the tackle, winning both of his attempted tackles. He was tidy on the ball and didn't give the Algerian attackers much joy down his flank.

Midfielders

Noah Sadiki - 6.5: A decent outing in the middle of the park before he was substituted. He was neat in possession with 90% pass accuracy and did his bit defensively. Didn't have a huge influence on the game but was a reliable presence during his time on the pitch.

Samuel Moutoussamy - 7.5: A monster in midfield. The man was a tackling machine, attempting seven and winning four. He recovered the ball five times and won eight of his eleven duels. An immense screening job that protected his back four brilliantly until he was forced off with an injury.

Meschack Elia - 6.0: A quiet game for the midfielder. He worked hard off the ball, recovering it five times, but struggled to make an impact in an attacking sense. He was caught offside once and was eventually substituted after an hour.

Ngal'ayel Mukau - 6.0: Had very few touches and struggled to get into the rhythm of the game. He was tidy when he had the ball but was largely anonymous. Seemed to find the frantic pace of the game a little overwhelming before being taken off.

Théo Bongonda - 7.0: Looked like Congo DR's most likely source of a goal for much of the game. He created two good chances for his teammates, including a great opportunity for Bakambu. His delivery from wide areas was a constant threat. Faded slightly as the game went on.

Forwards

Cédric Bakambu - 6.0: A very frustrating night for the striker. He was a real handful for the Algerian defence with his physicality and movement, winning a good number of aerial duels. However, his finishing was poor. He missed a couple of good chances that could have changed the course of the match. Gave away a lot of fouls too.

Substitutes

Edo Kayembe - 6.5: Came on and almost made an immediate impact, forcing a great save from Zidane with a powerful long-range shot. Added energy but also picked up a booking.

Nathanaël Mbuku - 6.0: Brought on to provide some spark but struggled to get involved in any meaningful way.

Fiston Mayele - 6.0: Ran the channels but was caught offside a couple of times and couldn't provide the goal his team needed.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha - 6.0: Didn't have enough time or opportunity to make a real impact on the game.

Manager

S. Desabre - 7.0: His game plan almost worked to perfection. He set his team up to be defensively solid and hard to beat, and they frustrated Algeria for 115+ minutes. His side created chances but lacked the clinical touch. He can be proud of his team's effort, even in heartbreaking defeat.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Lionel Mpasi-Nzau