Jordan 1 – 2 Algeria

Match Report

Our preview predicted "Jordan 0-2 Algeria... Mahrez free kick, Gouiri counter, Jordan compact for 60 minutes" — and credited the Jordan dugout to a manager named Hussein Ammouta, who is not the man who actually picked this lineup. Jordan's real head coach, Jamal Sellami, sent his World Cup debutants out to play with no fear of either the absent Hussein Ammouta or the actual gap left by striker Yazan Al-Naimat, ruled out before the tournament even began. For over an hour, it looked like the preview had gotten everything wrong in every direction.

In the 36th minute, Mousa Tamari drove into the box and pulled the ball back for Mahmoud Al-Mardi, who completely missed his shot — but the loose ball found Nizar Al-Rashdan, who beat goalkeeper Luca Zidane to his right for the opener. The lead held through half-time and deep into the second half, with Riyad Mahrez unable to find his usual finishing touch. Algeria's reply finally arrived in the 69th minute: substitute Nadhir Benbouali, introduced at the break, rose to head home a pinpoint Mahrez corner. Eight minutes from time, Amine Gouiri bundled in the winner from close range — a VAR check confirmed he'd stayed level with the last defender — and Algeria had completed the turnaround.

Jordan's first-ever World Cup goal came against Austria on Matchday 1. Their first 33 minutes of a World Cup lead came against Algeria on Matchday 2 — and it still wasn't enough. Jordan are eliminated with zero points from two matches. Algeria, playing their first World Cup in twelve years, are very much alive: a final-day meeting with Austria will now decide who joins Argentina out of Group J.

Match Timeline

• 36'⚽GOAL — Nizar Al-Rashdan (JOR) — Tamari's cutback is fluffed by Al-Mardi, but Al-Rashdan reacts first to beat Luca Zidane.
• 45'🏁Half Time: Jordan 1-0 Algeria.
• 60s'🎯Chance: Riyad Mahrez tests Yazeed Abulaila, but Jordan's goalkeeper holds firm.
• 69'⚽GOAL — Nadhir Benbouali (ALG) — The half-time substitute rises to head home a pinpoint Riyad Mahrez corner. 1-1.
• 82'⚽GOAL — Amine Gouiri (ALG) — Bundles the ball over the line from close range; VAR confirms he stayed level with the last defender. 1-2.
• 90+'🏁Full Time: Jordan 1-2 Algeria. Algeria complete the comeback; Jordan eliminated.

Three Things We Learned

1. Algeria Found Two Goals in 13 Second-Half Minutes

A flat first 65 minutes against a side with one prior World Cup goal to its name turned into a statement finish: Benbouali's header in the 69th, Gouiri's bundled winner in the 82nd. Twelve years between World Cup appearances, and Algeria still remembered how to come from behind.

2. Jordan's World Cup Is Over — But Not Without a Fight

A first World Cup goal against Austria, a 36th-minute lead against Algeria that held for the better part of an hour. Jordan leave the tournament with zero points from two matches, but not with nothing to show for it.

3. The Coach We Named Still Isn't the Coach Who Picked the Team

Jamal Sellami's plan held up for 68 minutes against a far more talented Algeria side; our own preview page had him filed under someone else's name entirely. The mix-up changes nothing about what just happened on the pitch, which is the point — the result doesn't care what the build-up got wrong.

Player Ratings

🇯🇴 Jordan

🇩🇿 Algeria

Match Stats

• MilestoneAlgeria's first World Cup win since 2014
• Preview errorCoach listed as Ammouta — real coach: Sellami
• Jordan missingYazan Al-Naimat (out pre-tournament)
• Impact subBenbouali — 26th sub goal of the tournament
• PossessionAlgeria 72%
• VenueLevi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

Group J — After Match 044 (Final MD2 Standings)

Austria and Algeria are level on 3 points — Austria rank ahead on goal difference (0 to -2). Argentina have already clinched the group; the final matchday now decides second place between Austria and Algeria. Jordan, on zero points from two matches, are eliminated.