Arjun Menon
Algeria refused to fold after a punishing 3-0 opening loss to Argentina, where Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick, and responded with a composed 2-1 comeback win over Jordan to keep their World Cup campaign alive.
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The all-Arab clash at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium came nearly a week after Algeria were outclassed by the defending champions. Jordan, riding the momentum of their first-ever World Cup appearance, offered a stern test, yet Algeria — drawing on 14 players from clubs across seven European countries — combined precise passing, deft touches, and forward runs to grind out a result that matters.
Captain Riyad Mahrez, the former Manchester City forward, was central to the turnaround. Starting from the outset, he was energetic and menacing throughout, and his corner delivery set up Nadhir Benbouali’s headed equaliser to level the tie.
Amine Gouiri then sealed the win eight minutes from time, poking home a loose ball to send Algeria’s players and supporters into celebration, and ending Jordan’s tournament at the group stage.
“We had the mental strength to come back, and I think we’re continuing to improve. This victory, earned with character and determination, will do us the world of good,” Gouiri said.
“It could be a turning point. A win is always good, especially for confidence given the way the match unfolded. We’re very happy, but we know nothing is done yet. We’ve taken an important step.”
Algeria held the majority of possession and registered 16 attempts on goal against a compact Jordanian defence. Creativity came through the centre, with Marseille’s Gouiri linking effectively with Bayer Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza, while Hicham Boudaoui contributed two weighted passes from deep to release Mahrez in threatening positions.
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Algeria last featured at the 2014 World Cup. With the tournament now expanded to 48 teams, they are targeting the knockout rounds — and the chance to add to a legacy that still carries the weight of their famous 1982 upset of West Germany. A win over Austria in their final Group J fixture on Saturday would go a long way toward making that happen.
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