Algeria beat Jordan 2-1 with goals from Benbouali and Gouiri from corners. Jordan exit World Cup after 2 losses. Algeria move level with Australia ahead of decisive Group J final.
World Cup debutants Jordan are out. Algeria snatched a dramatic 2-1 comeback win in Santa Clara with two second half headers from corners, keeping their knockout hopes alive and confirming Argentina as Group J winners.
Nizar Al Rashdan gave Jordan a fairytale first half lead and their first ever World Cup goal. But Algeria's bench changed the game. Nadhir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri both scored from Ritad Mahrez corners to earn the African side their first victory of the 2026 World Cup tournament.
AL RASHDAN WRITES HISTORY FOR JORDAN
Jordan started like they belonged. Al Rashdan almost scored inside 50 seconds, heading wide from a free kick. The warning was there.
Algeria looked toothless in the first half and paid for it in the 36th minute. Al Rashdan produced a moment of magic a first time finish with the outside of his boot that caught Algeria cold. Santa Clara erupted. Jordan 1-0 up, leading at a World Cup for the first time ever.
The Asian side were organized, confident, and fully deserved their lead. For 35 minutes they frustrated the two times AFCON champions.
ALGERIA'S BENCH TURNS THE GAME
Coach Djamel Belmadi made changes at half time and they paid off instantly.
In the 69th minute, substitute Benbouali rose highest to head in Mahrez's corner. Algeria's first goal of the tournament and game back level. Jordan's energy started to fade, just like it did in their opening 2-1 loss to Australia.
Algeria pushed and Jordan tired. The winner came in the 82nd minute from another corner. Gouiri prodded home from close range after a knockdown. VAR checked for offside but the goal stood. 2-1 Algeria, and Jordan had no way back.
Substitute Anis Moussa, who replaced Mahrez in the 76th minute, delivered the corner for Gouiri's winner. The impact from the bench told the story.
GROUP J MATH, ALGEBRA ALIVE, ARGENTINA TOP
The win moves Algeria level on points with Australia. Both teams face off in Kansas on Sunday at 3am UK time in a straight shootout. A draw could be enough for both to reach the round of 32 depending on goal difference.
For Argentina, Algeria's come back confirmed them as Group j winners. The holders will face Group H runners up, currently Uruguay, in the round of 32 on July 3. They still play Jordan in Dallas on Sunday at 3am UK time, but the pressure is off.
Jordan's second straight defeat eliminates them with a game to spare. But they leave with dignity.
ANALYSIS - PROUD EXIT, PAINFUL LESSONS
Jordan might be out, but they proved they can compete. They took the lead, defended well, and showed belief against a major African power.
The problem was familiar: they ran out of gas. Just like vs Australia, the final 20 minutes killed them. And both Algeria goal came from corners. Set piece defense is where Jordan need to improve if they want to exit with a memorable result vs Argentina.
For Algeria, this was a backs against the wall win. Toothless for 45 minutes, the clinical when it mattered. Gouiri's 82nd minute strike is now Algeria's latest winning goal at a World Cup. It showed the fighting spirit that took them to AFCON glory.
KEY MOMENTS:
36' Goal Jordan! Al Rashdan scores with outside of the boot finish.
69' Goal Algeria! Benbouali heads in from Mahrez corner.
82' Goal Algeria! Gouiri prods in winner from another corner after VAR check.
Jordan bow out, but not in shame. Algeria live to fight another day. Group J will be decided Sunday.
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