Football Jul 07, 2026

World Cup 2026: Jordan 1-2 Algeria - Debutants knocked out of tournament after Algerian turnaround

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
World Cup 2026: Jordan 1-2 Algeria - Debutants knocked out of tournament after Algerian turnaround

Debutants Jordan have been knocked out of the World Cup after Algeria’s second-half turnaround 2-1 win kept their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.

Nadhir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri both scored from corners in California to earn the African side their first victory of the 2026 tournament.

The comeback win confirmed Argentina's place as Group J winners, with the holders to meet the Group H runners-up, currently Uruguay, in the round of 32 on July 3.

But Jordan will not be in the knockout stages after a second consecutive defeat saw them eliminated with a game to spare.

The Asian side took a 36th-minute lead through Nizar Al Rashdan, whose first-time outside-of-the-boot effort beat Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane - son of Zinedine - to give them hope of a first World Cup point.

Algeria failed to trouble Jordan in the first half, leading to half-time changes, and one of those had the desired impact as Benbouali headed in from Riyad Mahrez's corner in the 69th minute.

Algeria then pushed for a winner with Jordan tiring, and it eventually came in the 82nd minute through another corner as Gouiri prodded home from a knockdown, with the goal surviving a VAR check for offside.

The two-time AFCON champions held on for the win to move level on points with Austria, whom they play next in Kansas on Sunday (3am UK time) in their final Group J game with both sides potentially needing just a draw to reach the knockout stages.

Jordan, meanwhile, will look to end their first-ever World Cup campaign in style as they face three-time winners Argentina in Dallas on Sunday at 3am UK time.

Jordan might be out of the World Cup, but they depart with their heads held high.

The debutants once again proved they can mix it at this level as they deservedly took a first-half lead.

Algeria had looked toothless against an organised Jordan side who were full of belief and confidence.

But much like their opening Group J defeat to Austria, the Asian side ran out of gas - and Algeria took full advantage with their bench proving the difference.

Half-time substitute Benbouali scored the leveller, while substitute Anis Moussa, who replaced Mahrez in the 76th minute, provided the corner which led to Gouiri's winner.

With both goals coming from corners, Jordan need to tighten up their set-piece defence if they are to go out memorably in their final group game against holders Argentina.

Algeria, meanwhile, have some much-needed momentum heading into their decisive Group J clash against Austria, with Gouiri's goal - the latest winner for Algeria at a World Cup - showing they have the fighting spirit and determination to reach the round of 32.

Tags:

football report

Share this article

Related Posts

World Cup 2026 news and live updates - USA, Canada and Mexico latest including Trump, tickets and fans

World Cup 2026 news and live updates - USA, Canada and Mexico latest including Trump, tickets and fans

Devine having medical ahead of Preston switchLatest from Your Site News' Michael Bridge:Tottenham youngster Alfie Devine is having a medical with...

Kylian Mbappe: France captain condemns racist remarks made by Paraguayan politician Celeste Amarilla after World Cup round of 16 clash

Kylian Mbappe: France captain condemns racist remarks made by Paraguayan politician Celeste Amarilla after World Cup round of 16 clash

Kylian Mbappe has described a Paraguayan politician as "despicable" and unworthy of her position after she made several racist remarks toward the Fran...

Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal captain confirms he has played his last World Cup match but won't make rash decision on international future

Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal captain confirms he has played his last World Cup match but won't make rash decision on international future

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he has played in his last World Cup game - but says he won't make any "rash decisions" on whether he has played his fi...

England World Cup 2026: Gary Neville says Three Lions are favourites against Norway but urges caution over Erling Haaland in quarter-final clash

England World Cup 2026: Gary Neville says Three Lions are favourites against Norway but urges caution over Erling Haaland in quarter-final clash

Gary Neville said England will be favourites against Norway but urged caution over Erling Haaland's potential impact despite the euphoria after their...

Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal captain meets natural end with national team and goes down as best player to never win World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal captain meets natural end with national team and goes down as best player to never win World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo's contribution to the game cannot be questioned. One of the greatest ever to do it on the pitch.So when the Portugal captain burst i...

Argentina vs Egypt: Lionel Messi and Mo Salah go head-to-head with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals up for grabs

Argentina vs Egypt: Lionel Messi and Mo Salah go head-to-head with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals up for grabs

One of the main narrative threads that seems to have taken over the 2026 World Cup is this idea of 'the last dance'.So many superstars are making what...