Algeria fight back to seal their first World Cup win since 2014

Algeria summoned a second-half recovery at Levi's Stadium to defeat tournament debutants Jordan 2-1, claiming their first World Cup victory since 2014 and ending a 12-year wait for a win at the finals. Vladimir Petković's side had to dig deep after falling behind, but goals from substitute Nadir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri turned the contest on its head and breathed new life into their campaign — while ending Jordan's.

The comeback was built on persistence. Captain Riyad Mahrez had earlier squandered a presentable chance and seen another effort kept out, but it was his delivery that proved decisive: Benbouali rose to head home a Mahrez corner for the equaliser, before Gouiri bundled in the winner in the 82nd minute amid a goalmouth scramble from another set-piece. For a side that had laboured to break Jordan down, the relief was palpable.

Match summary: Jordan's historic goal, but a debut ends in elimination

For an hour, the script belonged to Jordan. Algeria dominated possession — holding 74% in the first half — yet found no way through a disciplined, deep-lying defence. Then, against the run of play in the 36th minute, Jordan struck: Mousa Al-Tamari's cutback was swept first time into the net by Nizar Al-Rashdan for only the second World Cup goal in the nation's history. Goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila stood firm with a series of saves as Algeria pressed, but the dam finally broke through Benbouali's header and Gouiri's late winner. Jordan, competing at their first World Cup, exit without a point but having announced themselves with a goal that will live long in their footballing memory.

Group J comes down to Algeria against Austria

Victory lifts Algeria to three points, level with Austria, and sets up a straight shoot-out between the pair on the final matchday for second place behind the qualified Argentina. The equation is delicately poised: the winner advances, while a draw would favour Austria on goal difference. After this hard-won comeback, Algeria will fancy their momentum heading into a defining 90 minutes.

Jordan exit with heads held high on their World Cup debut

Jordan's first World Cup will end without a victory, but not without pride. Across the group they pushed more illustrious opponents, defended with organisation and resilience, and wrote their name into the record books with a second-ever World Cup goal against Algeria. For a nation taking its first steps on the sport's biggest stage, the experience offers a foundation to build upon — and a campaign their supporters will remember as the start of something rather than the end.