Tension boiled over between Algeria and Nigeria players before and after their AFCON 2025 quarterfinal, which ended in a 2-0 win for the Super Eagles and booked their semifinal meeting with hosts Morocco.
The match at times felt out of control emotionally, and the final whistle only intensified the scene.
Strong physical clashes broke out on the pitch, drawing in several players from both teams as tempers flared. Members of the coaching and administrative staff rushed onto the field in an attempt to separate the players and calm things down. Security forces quickly surrounded the refereeing crew to protect them, as Algerian players furiously protested a series of decisions.
Algeria were particularly angered by the referee’s refusal to award a first‑half penalty for what they believed was a handball by Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi, along with other contentious incidents during the game.
On the footballing side, Nigeria had dominated the first half but failed to score, before Victor Osimhen finally broke the deadlock early in the second period and Akor Adams added a second in the 57th minute to seal a stormy but convincing win.
