We now know one semi-final, with Nigeria taking on hosts Morocco on Wednesday night in Rabat. But what about the other?
The earlier semi-final that day in Tangier will definitely feature Senegal — and they will face either Egypt or Ivory Coast, who kick off in Agadir in about 10 minutes’ time.
The wonderful Max Mathews is all over the remaining quarter-final of this AFCON and you can follow all the action, anecdotes and analysis of Egypt vs Ivory Coast live with him and us — right here.
And here is another from the full-time shenanigans out on the pitch from …
Victor Osimhen is asked three questions in the post-match press conference and none of them were about his relationship with Ademola Lookman or the post-match drama with Algeria … 🤦♂️
Pick of the pics: Nigeria rolling on
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I think this might be my favourite photo of the night. A scene where you can read how everyone is feeling, as Akor Adams walks and then rolls the ball into the empty to give Nigeria a two-goal lead they never looked like losing.
Next up, it’s a semi-final date with AFCON 2025 hosts Morocco in Rabat on Wednesday night.
And what a night that is going to be.
📸 Sébastien BOZON/AFP via Getty Images
Algeria 0 Nigeria 2: Osimhen’s leap, Iwobi’s pass and what happened after full-time?
Nigeria produced a statement win against Algeria to power their way to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals, where they will face hosts Morocco on Wednesday.
They had plenty of chances to go ahead in the first half. Rayan Ait-Nouri made a strong challenge to dispossess Victor Osimhen in the area, while Ramy Bensebaini was forced into a goal-line clearance in the 29th minute. With just goalkeeper Luca Zidane to beat in the 37th minute, Akor Adams blasted over the bar — and it looked as if Nigeria might be made to rue those missed opportunities.
Not so. Osimhen produced a trademark leap in the 47th minute to head past Zidane following a cross from Bruno Onyemaechi, before the striker laid off for Adams to round the Algeria ‘keeper and slot home the second 10 minutes later, following a fine pass from Alex Iwobi. Nigeria could have scored more, with Adams missing a late chance, but it was still a dominant performance from the Super Eagles.
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… everyone had made up by the end!
Probably.
Well, at least Luca Zidane and Victor Osimhen.
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… things did get a little tense out on the pitch after the full-time whistle. However …
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As you can tell …
Full-time stats zone
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No hiding for Algeria. They were outclassed by Nigeria tonight — be it on defensive work, chances created or those taken. Here’s how the final numbers showed up …
FT: Algeria 0-2 Nigeria
Possession %: 42 — 58
Shots: 3 — 13
On target: 0 — 5
XG: 0.13 — 2.92
Big chances: 0 — 5
Blocked shots: 1 — 1
Touches in opposition box: 10 — 42
Duels won: 49 — 59
Every shot on target was a big chance and in truth, Nigeria should have won by more.
In fact, their big takeaway should probably be that if they want to win this tournament, they probably can’t afford to be so profligate against their opponents in the next game or two.
Pulling apart the opening goal
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It was a catalogue of mini-errors from Algeria, as Nigeria finally got the goal their play had deserved — setting up their eventual victory.
Hicham Boudaoui was drawn in by Alex Iwobi and was then too slow out to confront Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross, pushing Belghali back towards the box rather than getting him to confront the immediate threat, where the full-back would have been better placed to challenge.
Bensebaini was caught underneath the ball and neither jumped alongside Osimhen nor covered the goal line. Goalkeeper Luca Zidane then jumped in the air and the ball bounced underneath him.
Super cross from Bruno, and jump and connection from Osimhen, but those handful of errors contributed to Algeria conceding. Which was unexpected from a side that had let in one goal in this tournament before today.
The TV coverage swiftly came to an end from Marrakech. Maybe this was why …
It’s all kicking off…
More from Jay here.
The fallout begins
It’s a real shame to see Algeria surround the referee at full time and kick off with a few of the Nigerian players
They were completely outclassed.
Algeria put in their place
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Nigeria may have made this look easy, but it was far from it against a stubborn Algeria defence that had only conceded one goal in the tournament prior to this game.
Nigeria turned up, dominated possession, created an xG of 3.0 and didn’t concede a shot on target.
They may have lost Wilfred Ndidi for their semi-final due to suspension, but what a win that was for the Super Eagles.
The main man: Alex Iwobi
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No surprises with my star player in Marrakesh. There were a lot of very good performances too, by the way — including Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi.
But Alex Iwobi was a midfield maestro here and his pass in the buildup to Nigeria’s killer second goal was special.
Well played, Alex — and keep it going.
FULL TIME: Nigeria steam into the semis
FT: Algeria 0-2 Nigeria
Lots of final whistles from the crowd — but finally, the real one arrives from referee Issa Sy.
Nigeria win, they put Algeria to the sword, and announce themselves as a serious contender to go one better than their defeated finalist appearance at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast.
Super stuff from the Super Eagles, while Algeria fell well short of their previous hopes.
One more booking!
90+7’ Algeria 0-2 Nigeria
Good news — still time for a bit of handbags and scrapping as tensions flare again.
A yellow card is flashed too, although no one seems too sure who it was shown too. Which is fun.
Nigeria still collecting knocks
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90+5’ Algeria 0-2 Nigeria
Still time for Nwabali to take a little time over his clearance, and get clattered by Berkane as a result.
Osayi-Samuel is down with cramp too. It’s all happening!
Igoh Ogbu is swiftly introduced in Osayi-Samuel’s cramp-ridden place.
Six added minutes…
90+2’ Algeria 0-2 Nigeria
We have the joys of six added minutes here, which we are already well into.
Algeria searching for a consolation — which might simply be managing a shot on target, in truth.
