Algeria Stuns Jordan 2-1 to Keep World Cup Hopes Alive
Photo: REUTERS
Algeria rescued their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on Tuesday, coming from behind to secure a vital 2-1 victory over tournament debutants Jordan.
The result at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium keeps the North African side’s hopes of advancing alive while officially ending Jordan’s historic first appearance in the competition.
Both teams entered the match needing a result after suffering losses in their respective opening fixtures. While Algeria took the initiative early on, the Jordanian defense, led by Jamal Sellami, remained disciplined and prevented any clear breakthroughs in the first half-hour.
The momentum shifted in the 36th minute when Jordan broke the deadlock. After Mousa Al Tamari sliced a ball across the penalty area, Nizar Al Rashdan reacted with precision, sweeping a clinical right-footed shot into the net to give the underdogs a shock lead.
Faced with a potential exit from the tournament, the Algerian side maintained their composure and intensified their pressure after the halftime interval. Their persistence finally yielded results in the 69th minute when Nadhir Benbouali connected with a well-placed corner to head home the equalizer.
The comeback was completed in the 82nd minute. Following another corner that caused chaos in the Jordanian box, the ball fell to Amine Gouiri, who tucked a close-range finish into the net to ignite celebrations among the Algerian supporters.
Despite a valiant effort, Jordan’s campaign concludes after two matches, while Algeria now moves forward with renewed momentum as they look to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
