Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 23

Algeria kept its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign alive Monday night, overcoming a first-half deficit to defeat Jordan 2-1 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and secure a crucial Group J victory.

Facing the prospect of an early exit after opening-round defeats, both sides entered the match desperate for points.

Algeria ultimately found the answers in the second half, scoring twice from set pieces to complete a comeback that ended Jordan’s historic first World Cup appearance after just two matches.

Jordan struck first in the 36th minute through Nizar Al Rashdan.

After winger Mousa Al Tamari sliced a ball across the penalty area, Al Rashdan met it with the outside of his right foot and guided a composed finish past the Algerian defense, sending Jordan into halftime with a surprise lead.

Despite trailing, Algeria remained the more aggressive side throughout much of the contest. Their persistence paid off in the 69th minute when striker Nadhir Benbouali rose highest to head home from a corner kick, levelling the score and shifting momentum firmly in Algeria’s favour.

The decisive moment arrived eight minutes from time.

Another Algerian corner caused chaos inside the Jordanian penalty area, and Amine Gouiri reacted quickest to tuck home from close range, completing the turnaround and delivering Algeria its first win of the tournament.

The victory leaves Algeria with three points from two matches and still in contention for a place in the knockout rounds. Jordan, meanwhile, remains without a point and is officially eliminated from advancing.

Algeria midfielder Ibrahim Maza was named Superior Player of the Match after helping drive his team’s second-half resurgence.

“We had the upper hand the whole game,” Maza said afterward. “At half-time we spoke that we had to do even more, but also stay patient because we had the ball nearly the whole time. Then we scored two nice goals and won the game.”

Defender Aissa Mandi credited Algeria’s preparation and perseverance against Jordan’s disciplined defensive setup.

“We know it’s very tough to play against such a defensive block,” Mandi said. “We gave it our all, tried everything, and were rewarded with two set pieces that we had practiced.”

Jordan coach Jamal Sellami sought to draw positives despite the elimination.

“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,” Sellami said.

The result leaves Group J led by defending champions Argentina on six points, followed by Austria and Algeria with three points each. Jordan sits fourth with zero points.

One statistic continues to underline Algeria’s World Cup struggles at the back: according to FIFA, the North Africans have managed just one clean sheet in their last 15 World Cup matches, a scoreless draw against England in 2010.

For one night, however, defensive concerns took a back seat as Algeria’s resilience and set-piece execution kept their World Cup dream alive.

Match information, quotes, and photos courtesy of FIFA.com