Algeria kept their FIFA World Cup 2026™ hopes alive with a 2-1 comeback win over Jordan in Group J at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Monday 22 June, a result that eliminated debutants Jordan after two games.
Jordan led at the break through Nizar Al Rashdan, but Algeria responded after the restart with two goals from corners—Nadhir Benbouali’s 69th-minute header and Amine Gouiri’s close-range finish in the 82nd minute—to complete the turnaround and secure three points after both sides had lost their opening matches.
How the match unfolded in Group J
With both teams desperate to bounce back from opening defeats, the early stages brought little in the way of clear chances. Algeria were described as the more proactive side in the opening exchanges, but Jordan stayed organised and maintained their concentration.
Jordan struck first in the 36th minute. Mousa Al Tamari miscued a ball across the penalty area, but it fell into the path of Al Rashdan, who made clean contact and swept his effort home with the outside of his right boot to put Jordan 1-0 ahead.
Algeria, now needing a response, stayed composed. After the restart they pinned Jordan back for a prolonged spell, and their pressure told from a set piece. In the 69th minute, Benbouali rose to head in from a corner to level the score at 1-1.
The decisive moment arrived with eight minutes remaining, again from a corner. The ball dropped to Gouiri, who tucked in from close range to make it 2-1 and complete Algeria’s comeback.
Set pieces decide it
Both of Algeria’s goals came from corners, turning the match on two rehearsed dead-ball situations after Jordan had taken a first-half lead. The late turnaround ensured Algeria remained in contention for progression, while Jordan’s campaign ended after two games.
Player of the Match and key stat
Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza was named Superior Player of the Match.
A key stat from the match report underlined Algeria’s World Cup defensive record: they have now kept only one clean sheet in 15 FIFA World Cup matches, which came in a 0-0 draw against England in 2010.
What the result means and post-match reaction
The 2-1 victory was significant for Algeria because it kept their hopes of reaching the next round alive after defeat in their opener, while also confirming Jordan’s elimination in their debut World Cup campaign.
Maza said: “It was a very hard game. They were leading 1-0 but we had the upper hand the whole game, that was my feeling. At half time we spoke that now we have to do even more, but we have to be patient still as we had the ball nearly the whole time. Then we scored two nice goals and won the game. We are very happy. I think these three points will help us in the next game, will motivate us a lot. We have confidence now to go to the next game.”
Algeria defender Aissa Mandi highlighted the challenge of breaking Jordan down and the importance of the set pieces: “We know it’s very tough to play against such a defensive block. We gave it our all, tried everything, and were rewarded with two set pieces that we had practiced. We wanted to put that loss to Argentina behind us. I am really proud of the team. When you win a World Cup match, you have to appreciate it.”
Jordan coach Jamal Sellami, despite the defeat, pointed to confidence gained from the performance: “That’s why I said before the second match that the first game gave us confidence and a real boost, and that we were the better side. Today’s match has also given us confidence and, God willing, the belief that we can be at our best in the next game and leave a good impression of Jordanian football.”