Algeria's last-gasp hero Madjid Bougherra says his team have answered their critics after a poor start in the Africa Cup of Nations.

His equalising header in the dying moments of Sunday's quarter-final against Ivory Coast paved the way for an extra-time victory to put Algeria into the semi-finals.

"Game after game we are getting better," he said.

"Some people have criticised us but this victory is for all of Algeria."

The Algerians progressed from Group A in a controversial and unconvincing fashion.

Level on points with Mali, and with worse goal difference, Algeria still went through on the head-to-head rule as they beat the Malians 1-0 in their second game.

But Hameur Bouazza's extra-time winner sees Algeria in the semi-finals against either Cameroon or Egypt who play on Monday.

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane believes his side's performance on Sunday shows they are a team to be taken seriously.

"I had a lot of criticism after losing the opening game, but we are here now and we have qualified for the semi-final," he said after the game.

"I wasn't surprised by my team, but more by Ivory Coast's decline.

"The critics said after we beat Mali that we only scored goals from dead ball situations, well here we scored three goals from open play.

"We must now be focused. That's all that matters."