RABAT, Morocco (Interstat) — Adil Boulbina scored deep in extra time to lift Algeria to a 1-0 victory over DR Congo in an Africa Cup of Nations group stage match Tuesday at Stade Prince Héritier Moulay Hassan.

The decisive goal came in the 119th minute, breaking a tense deadlock in a match defined by stout defending. The assist was credited to substitute Chancel Mbemba. The match grew increasingly fractious late, producing five yellow cards in the final half-hour, including one to Algeria’s Baghdad Bounedjah in second-half stoppage time.

The result gave Algeria a winning start in the tournament, while DR Congo began its campaign with a narrow defeat. The outcome defied a pregame projection from Interstat, which had simulated a 1-0 win for DR Congo despite rating Algeria as a heavy favorite.