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The third quarterfinal of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations sees Algeria and Nigeria lock horns in Marrakech.

The Super Eagles have responded well to the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup, winning all three group games before thrashing Mozambique 4-0 in the Round of 16.

Algeria have also impressed in Morocco and, as the third-highest-ranked team in the African confederation, it was always expected that they would progress deep into the tournament. Now, the pressure really begins to build.

The winners of this match will play Morocco in the semifinals on January 14, after the hosts knocked off Cameroon in yesterday’s quarterfinal.

Algeria vs. Nigeria live score

Venue: Stade de Marrakech (Marrakesh, Morocco)
Referee: Issa Sy (SEN)

Starting lineups:

Algeria (4-3-3, right to left): 23. Zidane (GK) — 25. Belghali, 2. Mandi, 21. Bensebaini, 15. Ait-Nouri — 14. Boudaoui, 6. Zerrouki, 17. Chaibi — 7. Mahrez, 22. Maza, 18. Amoura

Nigeria (4-3-1-2, right to left): 23. Nwabali (GK) — 2. Osayi-Samuel, 6. Ajayi, 21. Bassey, 13. Onyemaechi — 8. Onyeka, 4. Ndidi, 17. Iwobi — 7. Lookman — 9. Osimhen, 22. Adams

Algeria vs. Nigeria live updates, highlights, and commentary

27th min: Chance, Nigeria! The Super Eagles come close again, as Victor Osimhen is clean through on goal, but can’t get the shot off before a brilliant tackle from Rayan Ait Nouri dispossesses the Nigeria star!!! What a wonderful and necessary intervention!

Multiple Nigeria opportunities thus far have come from very bad midfield giveaways by Algeria, who haven’t handled the Nigeria press well at all.

21st min: Nigeria pick up their first yellow card as Bruno Onyemaechi is booked for a foul in transition. Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic has been working the officials hard on the touchline and is pleading for more, but on this occasion that’s not remotely close to being a red card.

15th min: The first yellow card is shown to Ramiz Zerrouki who fouls Ademola Lookman very hard in midfield. Zerrouki is furious with the decision, but he’s got very little leg to stand on after that over-aggressive foul.

9th min: Chance, Nigeria! Frank Onyeka meets a cross on the volley at the back post, but it’s blocked by Ramy Bensebaini before it can tuck inside the far post! It’s an acrobatic effort, as Onyeka lept high into the air and met his foot to the ball, and while it looked as if the effort had beaten the goalkeeper, Bensebaini was there to keep it out!

The Super Eagles are pushing for the first goal, but it remains scoreless!

8th min: Chance, Nigeria! Victor Osimhen rises high to meet a corner for Nigeria, but he puts the headed effort over the crossbar!

4th min: This match has been physical to start, highlighted by a push from a Nigeria player on the touchline that sends an opponent flying into the assistant referee, toppling the official. All involved rise without any notable bumps or bruises to shake off the moment.

Kickoff: They’re under way in Marrakesh! Zinedine Zidane is in the house to watch his son start in goal for Algeria.

Algeria vs. Nigeria: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

30 mins to kickoff: The Africa Cup of Nations always brings the vibes, and the Nigeria national team is at the forefront of the hype in this tournament. Look at their excitement at arriving for today’s match!

By now, you already know the sound. The Super Eagles are here. 🦅#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WeSoundDifferent pic.twitter.com/bBnYgt16SZ

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2026

45 mins to kickoff: These two teams faced off in the semifinals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, with Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick in the 95th minute gave Algeria a stunning 2-1 victory and a place in the final, where they’d go on to beat Senegal and win the title.

A historic moment from 2019. Riyad’s late free-kick sending Algeria to the final.

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. 🇩🇿🇳🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @1xBet_Eng pic.twitter.com/dRSPib1YRv

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2026

1 hour to kickoff: The lineups are in. For Nigeria, there are no surprises at all as the Super Eagles go with their best XI established throughout this tournament and an unchanged side from the 4-0 throttling of Mozambique in the Round of 16.

Same too for Algeria, who make just one change from their win over DR Congo last round as they’re forced into a midfield swap with Ismael Bennacer coming out injured and replaced by Ramiz Zerrouki.

Dressing rooms ready for both Gerias. 🇩🇿🇳🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/2yPAog3ZQ6

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2026

1 hour 30 mins to kick: The winner of this match will face hosts Morocco in the semifinals, after they defeated Cameroon 2-0 back on Friday. It presents a very difficult match, but you’d expect such a tough test in the final four of the Africa Cup of Nations!

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz has scored in every single match of the competition so far, leading AFCON in scoring so far.

Morocco have punched their ticket to the AFCON 2025 semi-finals by beating Cameroon 2-0 in Rabat 🇲🇦

Brahim Diaz opened the scoring for the tournament hosts with his fifth goal of the tournament before Ismael Saibari doubled their lead with a great strike in the second half. pic.twitter.com/5hH9UdZ7mn

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) January 9, 2026

2 hours before kickoff: We’re at the quarterfinal stage of the AFCON, and we’re down to the heavyweights. The eight remaining teams boast 22 Africa Cup of Nations titles between them.

Statement made. More to come.

Raphael Onyedika, Pape Gueye, and Marwan Attia. Your Players to Follow in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 quarter-finals. 🌟@Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/49n094wI3J

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 8, 2026

Algeria vs. Nigeria kick off time

The match kicks off in Marrakech, Morocco, at 5 p.m. local time.

Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:

Algeria vs. Nigeria lineups, team news

Algeria have concerns over midfielder Ismael Bennacer, who was hurt in the last round against DR Congo. Ramiz Zerrouki is in line to start in his place.

Captain Riyad Mahrez and striker Ibrahim Maza have been Algeria’s biggest weapons at these finals.

Algeria predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Zidane (GK) — Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri — Boudaoui, Zerrouki, Chaibi — Mahrez, Maza, Amoura

Nigeria will likely be unchanged from the emphatic win over Mozambique, both in terms of personnel and formation. Eric Chelle’s 4-3-1-2 has given more freedom to Ademola Lookman in attack without sacrificing the stability in the side brought by midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka.

Nigeria starting XI (4-3-1-2 right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi — Onyeka, Ndidi, Iwobi — Lookman — Osimhen, Adams

Algeria vs. Nigeria live stream, TV channel

Here is how to watch the match in some of the world’s major regions: