It has been an unfortunate theme for the continent through the tournament and sparked some debate as to the reason why they cannot see out games.
There is no simple answer and each match is different, but it has been frustrating for fans in the knockout stages to see African sides capitulate.
Morocco have been the only ones to buck the trend and netted a 92nd-minute equaliser via Issa Diop against the Netherlands that pushed their last-32 tie into extra-time, after which they eventually won on penalties.
Here is a look back at the tale of woe.
Last 32: South Africa 0-1 Canada
South Africa had battled to get a foothold in the game but were looking on course to force extra-time and possibly penalties, which then becomes a lottery.
But Canada scored their winner in the 92nd minute as Stephen Eustáquio crashed in a shot from the edge of the box that was superbly hit.
There was no time after that for Bafana Bafana to force an equaliser.
Last 32: Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway
Ivory Coast trailed Norway at halftime but levelled the game thanks to Amad Diallo’s equaliser on 74 minutes.
They had momentum then, but if you give Erling Haaland a sniff of a chance, he will punish you and the giant striker did just that.
His goal on 86 minutes made it 2-1 to the European side and Ivory Coast could not get a second as they bowed out.
Last 32: England 2-1 Democratic Republic of Congo
DR Congo led early through Brian Cipenga’s goal on seven minutes and that was how it stayed until 75 minutes, when Harry Kane equalised for England.
It was frustrating for the Congolese as they had chances to extend their advantage before that.
But still they were in the game and heading to extra-time until Kane added a superb second as he rifled in a shot from the edge of the box on 86 minutes to send the Congolese home.
Last 32: Belgium 3-2 Senegal
A painful defeat that will take years to get over as Belgium essentially struck three times late on, first in ordinary time and then extra-time, to see off a Senegal side that were cruising to victory.
Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr had the African side 2-0 up and in complete control of the game, until the ‘curse of 86 minutes’ struck again for Africa.
Romelu Lukaku scored at the near post on that mark to make it 2-1, before Youri Tielemans headed in three minutes later for 2-2.
That took the game to extra-time and with penalties looming, Belgium were awarded a spot-kick from which Tielemans made it 3-2 after 125 minutes. There was no way back for Senegal.
Last 32: Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde
A rip-roaring game that ended 1-1 after the 90 minutes and moved into extra-time as Cape Verde matched the world champions with an excellent display.
Argentina led again before a brilliant strike from Sidny Lopes made it 2-2 as Cape Verde would not lie down.
They entered the final 10 minutes of extra-time still level, but Argentina forced a winner when Diney unfortunately deflected the ball into his own net.
Last 16: Argentina 3-2 Egypt
Argentina would again break African hearts, this time in the last 16 with two strikes in the final stages of the game to turn the result on its head.
When Ziko put Egypt 2-0 up in Atlanta, they looked well on course for victory until the final 11 minutes of the 90.
First, Cristian Romero scored for Argentina to make it 2-1, before Lionel Messi found the equaliser on 83 minutes.
Enzo Fernández then netted a 92nd-minute winner for Argentina to send them through and condemn Africa to a sixth loss in the final 10 minutes of a game in the knockout stages.
Given that eight African sides have gone out at this stage, it means that 75% of those defeats have come to late goals.