With AFCON now at the knockout stage, an increase in consequence has perhaps altered how sides approach their games. The opening minutes of this clash perfectly encapsulated that as the two teams, who scored 12 goals between them in their respective groups, failed to register a shot in the first quarter.
However, the game finally sprang into life not long before the half-hour mark with D.R. Congo, despite managing much less possession than Algeria in the first half, creating the first two openings; first, Cedric Bakambu saw an effort turned around the post by Luca Zidane, before Axel Tuanzebe headed inches wide from the resulting corner.
Aside from those two chances, the opening period was a rather drab affair, with both teams seemingly terrified of opening up as they looked to continue their progression in the tournament.
After the break, it was D.R Congo who appeared to seize the initiative, ramping up the pressure on the Algeria goal as they sought to snatch the win in regulation time. An opportunity fell the way of Chancel Mbemba inside the area after the Algerians failed to clear a corner, but a heroic block from Hicham Boudaoui kept the scores level.
After both sides looked to the bench for inspiration, with Algeria making the surprise decision to withdraw Riyad Mahrez, it was still D.R. Congo having the better of play, and one of their chances again threatened when Edo Kayembe’s wicked drive from distance needed gathering by Zidane.
Anis Hadj-Moussa had one of the Greens’ few sightings of goal, but even then his tame effort was easily gathered by Lionel Mpasi - one of the last true opportunities of the game as it headed into extra-time.
Algeria did up the ante slightly during the additional 30 minutes and almost struck a crushing blow to D.R. Congo when Baghdad Bounedjah burst into the area and flashed a left-footed effort narrowly wide of the target.
Fares Chaibi was then not far away from securing a late victory for Algeria, but a stunning reflex save from Mpasi looked to be sending the game to penalties.
That was until the 119th minute, when Adil Boulbina burst down the left and unleashed an absolute rocket into the far corner to break D.R Congo hearts, preventing Les Leopards from playing in successive AFCON quarter-finals.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Fares Chaibi (Algeria)