FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group J Results
Jordan 1-2 Algeria
California, USA: Algeria kept their FIFA World Cup knockout hopes alive after staging a second-half comeback to defeat Jordan 2-1 in a tense Group J encounter at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Monday night.
The Desert Foxes looked set for another disappointing result after Jordan struck first through Nizar Al-Rashdan in the 36th minute. The midfielder capitalized on a defensive lapse to hand the World Cup debutants a surprise lead and send Algeria into the halftime break trailing.
With their tournament hanging in the balance following the opening 3-0 defeat to Argentina, Algeria responded strongly after the restart.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic’s tactical changes paid off as substitute Nadhir Benbouali restored parity in the 69th minute, rising highest to head home from a Riyad Mahrez corner kick.
The North Africans continued to pile pressure on Jordan and eventually found the breakthrough eight minutes from time. Another dangerous set-piece caused chaos inside the Jordan penalty area before Amine Gouiri reacted quickest to poke home the winner and complete the comeback.
Mahrez, restored to the starting lineup after being benched against Argentina, played a key role in Algeria’s resurgence, while youngster Ibrahim Maza impressed as Algeria dominated the second half.
The victory gives Algeria their first points of the tournament and moves them level with Austria on three points in Group J. Argentina, who earlier defeated Austria 2-0, have already secured qualification to the Round of 32 as group winners.
For Jordan, the defeat ends their hopes of progressing from their maiden FIFA World Cup appearance after suffering a second consecutive loss.
Attention now turns to a decisive final round of Group J fixtures. Algeria will face Austria in a winner-takes-all battle for qualification, while Jordan conclude their historic campaign against defending champions Argentina.
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