Algeria stun Jordan 2-1 to move third in Group J

Guiri's 81st-minute winner confirmed by VAR; Argentina clinch top spot with second straight win

Jordan forward Mohannad Abu Taha (center) leaps over his teammate and goalkeeper Yazid Abulaila during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J match between Jordan and Algeria at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Tuesday. [EPA]

In a must-win clash with elimination on the line, Algeria (FIFA ranking: 28th) came from behind to beat Jordan (63rd) and move into third place in Group J.

Algeria defeated Jordan 2-1 in their Group J second-round match at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Tuesday at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Having lost 0-3 to Argentina in their opening match, Algeria now stand at one win and one loss with three points, good for third in the group. They will face Austria in their final group-stage match on June 28, with second place at stake.

Jordan, making their first-ever World Cup appearance, were eliminated after two straight losses regardless of remaining results. Argentina, who earlier beat Austria 2-0 to collect six points, secured first place in the group no matter what happens in the final round.

Jordan struck first. In the 36th minute, Musa Tamari drove down the right flank and cut the ball back into the box, where Mahmoud Al-Mardi's miscued shot rolled to Nizar Al-Rashdan. Al-Rashdan wasted no time, firing a right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner to give Jordan the lead.

Algeria's Amin Guiri (No. 9) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Jordan in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J match at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Tuesday. [AFP]

A desperate Algeria poured forward in the second half, unleashing 13 shots at Jordan's goal. In the 54th minute, Ibrahim Maza received a pass from Nabil Bentaleb and attempted a long-range effort from outside the box, but Jordan goalkeeper Yazid Abulaila threw himself across to push it away.

Substitute Nadir Benbuali, a tall striker introduced at the start of the second half, broke through Jordan's defense in the 69th minute. Riyad Mahrez delivered a corner from the right, and Benbuali glanced a header into the far corner to level the score.

Algeria completed the turnaround in the 82nd minute. A corner from Anis Hadj Moussa was flicked on in the box, deflected off a Jordan defender and fell to Amin Guiri, who calmly prodded it home with his right foot for the winning goal. Referees reviewed the play with VAR to check for offside before confirming the goal.

yjc@heraldcorp.com