Algeria secured a vital 2-1 comeback victory against Jordan in Santa Clara, keeping their World Cup knockout hopes alive and ending the debut campaign of their Asian opponents. Trailing at half-time after Nizar Al-Rashdan’s historic strike for Jordan, Vladimir Petković’s side transformed themselves after the interval with a series of tactical adjustments and bold substitutions that turned the match on its head.
Jordan had taken a lead to remember in the 36th minute when midfielder Nizar Al-Rashdan, who plays his club football for Qatar SC, scored his fourth international goal to give his country their first ever advantage in a World Cup fixture. The Asian side, ranked 68th in the world by FIFA, had defended resolutely in the first half, frustrating an Algeria side that dominated possession but could not find a way through.
The Algerian dressing room at half-time was the scene of a determined response. “We said that now we have to do even more,” young forward Ibrahim Maza said after the match. “But we have to be patient still, because we had the ball the whole time, and with space and time, we will score. And then we scored two nice goals.” That patience and a series of calculated changes by Petković rewrote the game in the second period.
Second-half adjustments unlock the door
The key to the turnaround was a combination of tactical shifts and the introduction of fresh legs. Ibrahim Maza, aged 20, had been barely sighted in the first half but emerged after the break as a decisive force, scything through midfield and driving at the Jordan defence. The Algerian coaching staff also turned to the bench: Nadhir Benbouali, a 26-year-old forward from Hungarian club Győr, was introduced, as was the versatile Amine Gouiri of Olympique Marseille. These substitutions fundamentally altered the dynamic.
Algeria’s dominance in the second half is starkly illustrated by the statistics. They racked up 14 shots to Jordan’s two after the break, with five efforts on target against only one from their opponents. The Asian side, who had set up to defend their lead, were pushed relentlessly onto the back foot. “The three points now will help us the next game, will motivate us a lot,” Maza added. “We have confidence now to go the next game, and inshallah, we will win then again.”
The pressure finally told in the 69th minute. Algeria had been winning a succession of free kicks in dangerous areas, allowing captain Riyad Mahrez – restored to the starting line-up after being benched for the opening defeat against Argentina – to drop the ball onto the head of the towering Benbouali. The substitute centre-forward held his ground, read the flight perfectly, and powered a header past the Jordan goalkeeper to level the scores. It was Benbouali’s first goal for his country in just his fourth appearance.
Algeria continued to press. With 13 minutes of normal time remaining, a corner kick caused chaos in the Jordan penalty area. A mass of players jumped for the ball; in the ensuing goalmouth scramble, Amine Gouiri reacted quickest, wrapping his right boot around the loose ball and tapping it into the net. A VAR check followed, with concerns over a possible offside in the build-up, but the goal was confirmed. Gouiri, who switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria in 2023, notched his 10th goal in 24 appearances for his adopted nation.
Petković then moved to protect the lead, making defensive changes. Gouiri and left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri were replaced by defenders Jaouen Hadjam and Zineddine Belaid. Mahrez, who had been influential from set pieces, was withdrawn for the fresh legs of Anis Hadj Moussa. Jordan, desperate to find an equaliser, pushed forward in the seven minutes of stoppage time but could not manufacture a clear chance. Algeria’s banked defence held firm, and the final whistle confirmed a historic result: for the first time, Algeria have won a World Cup match after conceding the opening goal.
Knockout stakes clarified
The result reshuffles Group J. Argentina, the defending champions and tournament favourites, have already secured top spot after a 2-0 victory over Austria – a match in which Lionel Messi scored both goals. That leaves second place in the group wide open. Algeria, now on three points – having lost their opener 3-0 to Argentina – will face Austria in their final group fixture. A win is required to leapfrog the Austrians, who themselves have three points after beating Jordan 3-1 but losing to Argentina, and to guarantee progression to the knockout phase.
For Jordan, the dream is over. Their debut World Cup campaign will end at the group stage after two defeats in their opening two matches. They will, however, have a final appearance against the world champions in what should still be a memorable occasion. Coach Jamal Sellami’s side can at least take pride in their historic first lead at a finals, delivered by a team that includes the Ligue 1 star Musa Al-Taamari – the first Jordanian to play and score in a top European league – and the defensive midfielder Al-Rashdan, who now has 48 caps for his country. But the resilience and noble spirit of the ‘Al-Nashama’ was not enough to hold off an Algeria side that, in the second half, finally found the key to unlock a resolute defence.
