World Cup 2026: Algeria Rally Beats Jordan 2-1 As Mahrez Assist Sparks Comeback

Algeria stayed alive in Group J with a 2-1 comeback win over Jordan, overturning a first-half deficit with two late goals that reshaped the qualification picture and left Jordan already eliminated before facing Argentina, who had secured top spot in the group.

The result gave Algeria a strong chance of reaching the knockout stage, as Jordan’s winless run stretched to seven matches in all competitions. Even seven minutes of added time at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium could not rescue Jordan, who failed to find an equaliser.

This victory ended a long unwanted streak for Algeria at the World Cup. Across 10 previous tournament matches where Algeria conceded first, they had never recovered to win. That changed with their latest World Cup goal scored in regulation time, timed at 81 minutes and 40 seconds.

Jordan had appeared on course for a different story at the interval. Nizar Al Rashdan’s strike in the 36th minute gave Jordan a 1-0 lead and a platform to build from, especially after Algeria had been heavily beaten by Lionel Messi and Argentina on matchday one.

The opening period was relatively balanced, with Jordan looking composed on debut and Algeria still feeling the effects of their earlier loss. Riyad Mahrez wasted two good chances when clean through, and Jordan carried a one-goal advantage into half-time with confidence.

Algeria then increased the tempo after the restart and pushed Jordan back. World Cup debutants Jordan, so competitive before the break, struggled to maintain control. Algeria dominated territory and possession, forcing Jordan to defend deeper and rely mainly on rare counter-attacks that produced little threat.

Mahrez finally made a decisive impact from a set piece in the 69th minute. The winger delivered a precise corner onto substitute Nadhir Benbouali’s head. Goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila was caught off the line and Benbouali guided the ball into the left corner to level.

Jordan’s set-piece struggles resurfaced decisively in the 82nd minute. A delivery into the box caused chaos and Amine Gouiri reacted quickest, nudging in from close range. The assistant flagged for offside, but a VAR check confirmed the goal and Algeria’s turnaround was complete.

Algeria World Cup numbers and Mahrez record

Underlying data underlined Algeria’s control after half-time. Jordan had produced 0.54 expected goals in the first 45 minutes, already more than the 0.46 generated across the entire opening match against Austria, yet Algeria’s pressure after the break shifted every main statistic their way.

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Riyad Mahrez also set a personal landmark. At 35 years and 121 days, Mahrez became the oldest player to start a World Cup game for Algeria. This was only Mahrez’s second World Cup start, the first coming against Belgium in 2014 before the rise with Leicester City.

Mahrez topped the match for creativity, finishing with three chances created and seven crosses. Combined with Benbouali’s impact from the bench and Gouiri’s late winner, those contributions kept Algeria in contention, while Jordan’s campaign ended early ahead of the final Group J fixture with Argentina.