Nigeria vs Algeria 2-0: AFCON 2025 quarterfinal – as it happened
All the updates as Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams grab second-half goals to put Nigeria through to play Morocco.
This page is now closed, but a summary of the game is available below, and you can click here for our full match report. Thanks for joining us at Al Jazeera Sport.
- Strikers Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams scored second-half goals as Nigeria earned a dominant 2-0 victory over Algeria in their Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal to set up a meeting with hosts Morocco in the last four.
- Osimhen steered home a long cross from the left by Bruno Onyemaechi two minutes into the second half as Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane made a bizarre jump to try and stop the effort, but ended up getting his angles wrong and conceding an easy goal.
- Adams increased Nigeria’s lead 10 minutes later as Osimhen unselfishly fed him the ball, and he took it around Zidane before placing it into an empty net.
- It was an impressive performance by Nigeria, who two months ago missed out on World Cup qualification, as they overwhelmed their opponents from the start at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, looking more determined, quicker around the field and stronger in the challenges, and denying their opponents a single scoring chance.
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- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
That’s a wrap
Nigeria power their way into the final four, where they will face hosts Morocco in the capital Rabat on January 14.
Senegal await the winners of Egypt and Ivory Coast, which is set to kick off in just under an hour’s time in Agadir.
We hope you enjoyed our coverage of this pulsating match, and on behalf of Patrick Keddie, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.
Semifinal 🎟️ pic.twitter.com/d7f1mUxHlv
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 10, 2026
Undefeated
1 – Nigeria at #AFCON2025
💯Only team to win all their games (5/5)
⚽️Best goal difference (+10)Soaring. pic.twitter.com/3P8KTi7838
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 10, 2026
Too little, too late
80 – Algeria’s first shot against Nigeria came in the 80th minute, a long distance attempt by Baghdad Bounedjah. Struggle. pic.twitter.com/uCwIJ7mGYS
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 10, 2026
Nigeria into the semis
Semi-Finalists | Nigeria 🇳🇬
The Super Eagles are into the final four of the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/zBZh0rdyo0
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2026
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What are the upcoming AFCON matches?
Quarterfinals
January 10
Egypt vs Ivory Coast (Adrar Stadium, 8pm local/19:00 GMT)
Rest days on January 11, 12 and 13
Semifinals
January 14
Senegal vs Egypt/Ivory Coast (Ibn Batouta Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Morocco vs Nigeria (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 9pm/20:00 GMT)
Rest days on January 15 and 16
The full match schedule, groups and format can be found here.
Dominant Nigeria into the semifinals
After thoroughly outplaying their counterparts, the Super Eagles deservedly book their place in the final four.
They ruled the relevant statistics, managing 12 shots compared to Algeria’s two. More crucially, they had five shots on target, while the Desert Foxes couldn’t even muster one.
Their talisman, Osimhen, played a significant role, scoring the opening goal before assisting Adams’s goal to put Nigeria firmly in control of the contest.
Full-time: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
FULL-TIME! 🇩🇿🇳🇬
Nigeria win it 2–0 against Algeria.#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/jeO3Z7oDKc
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2026
Full-time: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
The Super Eagles book their semifinal spot against Morocco on January 14!
Full-time: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Fractious ending
Some of the Algerian players are getting into it with Nigeria.
It is an unfortunate end to what has been a relatively good-natured contest over all.
It is more frustration from the Desert Foxes with the writing on the wall.
90+9 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Nigeria make final substitution
Igoh Ogbu is introduced in the final minutes, with Osimhen walking off to much acclaim.
90+6 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Nwabali down
The Desert Foxes have had more of the ball as Nigeria are content to sit back.
Nwabali looks to have hurt himself though after making contact with an advancing Berkane.
The Nigerian keeper is slow to get up though, as the medical staff rush out to tend to him.
90+4 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Six minutes added
Algeria have precious little time now to force an unlikely comeback.
90 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Double change for Nigeria
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Chidozie Awaziem are brought on for Lookman and Adams, who have been magnificent tonight.
Nigeria will now look to manage the clock and see this one out.
87 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Algeria win corner
It is flighted in from the left side into the box, but the ball ends up being booted out for a Nigerian goal kick.
About a few minutes back, Algeria made some more changes, as Himad Abdelli and Redouane Berkane are brought on for Boudaoui and Amoura.
84 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Adams hits the post!
Nigeria want a third in Marrakesh. It looks like they have it as they launch another offensive.
Osimhen rushes in from the right side, and despite losing the ball, he is able to slide a cross by the near post over to Adams on his left.
The forward tries to head the ball towards the far post, but ends up finding the post itself, with the ball ricocheting dangerously back towards him. He tries another swipe, but is unable to make any meaningful contact.
Algeria got away with that one, but will it matter at this stage?
82 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Bounedjah tries his luck
The midfielder sends a searing shot from range towards goal, but the ball sails over the crossbar.
80 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Adams header goes over
Onyemaechi has been busy on that left flank. He crosses a hopeful ball into the box, which Adams latches onto.
But with his marker at hand, all the forward can do is loop his header over the bar.
80 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Time running out for Desert Foxes
With less than 15 minutes to go, Algeria’s hopes of a semifinal berth look extremely slim.
77 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Hadj-Moussa hurt
After clashing with Onyemaechi by the left touchline, the Algerian grimaces in pain, but is soon able to continue.
74 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Nigeria win free kick
It is from outside the box on the left side, about 20 metres out.
The ball is floated to the far side of the box, before a header back into the goal area is intercepted by Zidane, ending the sequence conclusively.
71 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Algeria