The result marked Nigeria’s first-ever quarter-final win over Algeria at the AFCON finals and saw the Super Eagles claim five consecutive victories at a single tournament for the first time in their history
Victor Osimhen delivered a dominant performance as Nigeria defeated Algeria 2–0 to advance to the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, recording a historic quarter-final victory at the Stade de Marrakech.
The result marked Nigeria’s first-ever quarter-final win over Algeria at the AFCON finals and saw the Super Eagles claim five consecutive victories at a single tournament for the first time in their history.
It also provided long-awaited redemption for Nigeria, who were knocked out by the Desert Foxes at the semi-final stage in dramatic fashion in 2019.
After a tense, hard-fought first half, Nigeria made a decisive breakthrough shortly after the restart. Just two minutes into the second half, Osimhen rose unchallenged inside the six-yard box to head home Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross, finally breaking Algeria’s resistance and sparking celebrations among the Nigerian supporters.
Algeria responded by increasing the pressure and making attacking changes, but Nigeria remained well organised and disciplined. Osimhen continued to trouble the Algerian defence with his movement and physical strength, forcing goalkeeper Luca Zidane into a close-range save before turning provider in the 57th minute.
Breaking forward on a rapid counter-attack, the Galatasaray striker squared the ball to Akor Adams, who calmly finished with his left foot to double Nigeria’s lead.
The closing stages were disrupted by fouls, stoppages and late Algerian pressure as they searched for a way back into the game.
Baghdad Bounedjah and Ramy Bensebaini both came close, while Adams struck the post for Nigeria, who defended resolutely to secure another clean sheet. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, booked late in the match, commanded his area confidently as Nigeria held firm through six minutes of added time.
The victory extended Nigeria’s perfect record at the tournament to five wins from five matches, all achieved in open play.
The Super Eagles have now scored 14 goals, surpassing their previous AFCON best of 12 set in 2000, a milestone in the nation’s tournament history.
Following a 4–0 win over Mozambique in the round of 16, Nigeria produced another assured knockout performance, keeping back-to-back clean sheets in elimination matches for the second consecutive tournament.
This was Nigeria’s 12th quarter-final appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, and they have now progressed from this stage on 11 occasions, with their only exit coming against Ghana in 2008.
Osimhen’s goal took his tally to four for the tournament, leaving him one behind top scorer Brahim Díaz, while Ademola Lookman, despite not scoring, remained the competition’s most productive player with seven goal involvements.
Together, Osimhen and Lookman have been directly involved in 13 of Nigeria’s 14 goals at the finals.
The match also levelled the historical head-to-head between the two sides at the AFCON finals.
This was their 10th meeting, with both nations now recording four wins each and two draws. It was their sixth knockout encounter, having previously met in two finals, two semi-finals and a third-place play-off.
Nigeria famously defeated Algeria to win their first AFCON title in 1980, while Algeria claimed victory in the 1990 final and eliminated Nigeria in the 2019 semi-final.
This latest success therefore carried a strong sense of sporting revenge.
Nigeria will now face hosts Morocco in the semi-finals on Wednesday as they continue their pursuit of a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title, encouraged by their flawless form and another decisive contribution from their talismanic striker.
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