Goals from Nadir Benbouari and Amin Gouiri led Algeria to a dramatic second-half comeback in Group J.
Published June 23, 2026
Algeria fought back to beat Jordan 2-1 thanks to second-half goals from substitutes Nadir Benbouari and Amin Gouiri, eliminating the World Cup debutant with one game remaining.
Benbouari’s header on Monday canceled out Nizar Al Rashdan’s first-half opener, and Gouiri’s goal eight minutes into the game after a goalmouth scramble helped the Algerians recover from a 3-0 loss to Argentina in their opening game.
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The victory left Algeria level on three points with Austria in Group J, but defending champions Argentina secured a place in the round of 32 as group winners with a 2-0 win over Austria on Monday.
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic added veteran attacker Riyad Mahrez, who was on the bench against Argentina, to the starting lineup, and he proved to be an influential force in defending with numbers and defeating a quick-attacking Jordan team.
Mahrez squandered an early chance by running into a nice lofted pass from Hisham Boudaoui, but lost the ball at his feet. Furthermore, he was one-on-one with Yazeed Abu Laila after a long ball from Budaoui, but the chip shot was held back by the Jordanian goalkeeper.
Jordan, who lost 3-1 to Austria in the opening game, took the lead in the 36th minute after some clever coordination and a fortunate play in which Algeria midfielder Ramiz Zerrouchi turned the ball over defensively.
Musa Al Tamari’s shot went wide and Al Rashdan slotted it into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Petkovic brought on Nabil Bentaleb and Benbouari at half-time, and Algeria stepped up their game.
Surrounded by Jordanian defenders, Benbouari rose highest to meet Mahrez’s corner kick in the 69th minute and sent a glancing header into the top corner.
Thirteen minutes later, Algeria took the lead from another set-piece.
Substitute Anis Hadji Moussa curled a corner kick that Jordan’s top goalscorer Al Rashdan deflected to a jubilant Ghouiri who slotted home the winner.
For Algeria, this victory sets the stage for a grudge match against Austria, 44 years after the “humiliation of Gijon”.
In the 1982 World Cup, Austria and West Germany allegedly colluded in their group matches to ensure that both countries advanced at the expense of Algeria, who were eliminated.
West Germany and Austria denied wrongdoing, while FIFA admitted wrongdoing.
Algeria could get revenge against Austria on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri, while Jordan faces Argentina and superstar Lionel Messi, who has scored all five World Cup goals so far.
