Algeria produced a spirited second-half comeback to defeat Jordan 2-1 in a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J clash at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, keeping their knockout-stage hopes alive while ending Jordan’s historic World Cup debut campaign.
The Desert Foxes overturned a first-half deficit thanks to goals from Nadhir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri after Jordan had shocked their North African opponents through Nizar Al-Rashdan’s opener.
Jordan Strike First
With both teams entering the match desperate for points after opening-round defeats, the pressure was immense from the opening whistle. Jordan, appearing in their first-ever FIFA World Cup, showed remarkable determination and drew first blood in the 36th minute.
A defensive lapse from Algeria allowed Jordan to launch a quick counterattack, and midfielder Nizar Al-Rashdan calmly finished the move to score what was Jordan’s first-ever World Cup goal. The strike sent the Jordanian supporters into celebration and briefly put the Asian side on course for a historic victory.
Algeria dominated possession during the first half but struggled to break down Jordan’s disciplined defensive structure, heading into the break trailing 1-0.
Benbouali Sparks Algerian Revival
Knowing defeat would leave them on the brink of elimination, Algeria emerged after halftime with renewed urgency.
The introduction of striker Nadhir Benbouali proved decisive. In the 69th minute, captain Riyad Mahrez delivered a dangerous corner kick into the penalty area, where Benbouali rose highest to power home a header and level the score at 1-1.
The equalizer completely shifted the momentum in Algeria’s favor. Vladimir Petkovic’s men increased the pressure, pinning Jordan deep inside their own half as they searched for a winner.
Gouiri Completes the Turnaround
Algeria’s persistence was rewarded eight minutes from time.
Another Mahrez corner created chaos inside the Jordan penalty area. After a scramble in front of goal, Amine Gouiri reacted quickest to poke the ball into the net in the 82nd minute. A brief VAR check followed, but the goal was eventually confirmed, sparking wild celebrations among the Algerian players and supporters.
Jordan pushed forward in search of a late equalizer but found little joy against an Algerian side determined to protect their lead.
What the Result Means
The victory gives Algeria their first win of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and their first World Cup victory since the 2014 tournament in Brazil. More importantly, it keeps their hopes of reaching the Round of 32 alive heading into the final round of Group J fixtures.
For Jordan, the defeat confirms their elimination from the competition. Despite their spirited performances and the historic achievement of qualifying for their first World Cup, they can no longer progress from the group stage.
Argentina have already secured qualification from Group J after defeating Austria earlier in the day, while Algeria now face a decisive showdown against Austria in their final group match. Jordan will conclude their historic World Cup journey against the reigning champions Argentina.
Algeria showed resilience, quality and character when it mattered most, turning a potentially disastrous night into one that revived their World Cup campaign. For Jordan, the dream may be over, but their first appearance on football’s biggest stage has already become a proud chapter in the nation’s sporting history.
