Algeria vs Nigeria: Foxes break unwanted 16-year record as Super Eagles dominate in comfortable win

Nigeria’s Super Eagles delivered a commanding display to brush aside Algeria in a 2-0 win to book their place in the AFCON 2025 semi-finals.

The Foxes were silenced for long spells as Nigeria combined ruthless attacking moments with an outstanding defensive performance to seal a deserved victory.

Algeria endured a night to forget as they struggled badly to cope with Nigeria’s intensity and organisation.

According to Opta, the Fennec Foxes failed to register a single shot in the first half, a first for them at the Africa Cup of Nations in 30 matches since Opta began analysing the competition in 2010. The grim statistic underlined just how dominant the Super Eagles were before the break.

Opta further revealed that Algeria’s first attempt on goal came in the 80th minute, a speculative long-range effort from Baghdad Bounedjah.

It summed up a blunt attacking display that also saw Algeria set an unwanted 16-year record at the tournament, having been completely neutralised for much of the contest by Nigeria’s disciplined structure.

Nigeria wasted little time after the restart to turn control into goals. Just two minutes into the second half, Victor Osimhen rose unmarked at the back post to head home Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross, giving the Super Eagles a deserved lead.

The pressure continued, and before the hour mark, Akor Adams doubled Nigeria’s advantage to put the tie firmly out of Algeria’s reach.

From there, the Super Eagles managed the game expertly, producing a sensational defensive performance that restricted Algeria to zero shots on target and just three attempts in total over 90 minutes.

Nigeria will now turn their attention to a mouth-watering semi-final clash against Morocco, having already eliminated two North African sides on their impressive AFCON 2025 run.