Algeria Eliminates Jordan from World Cup with 2-1 Victory

Live score: Jordan vs Algeria

By Henry Hanson

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That's where we'll leave it

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By Andrew McGarry

So we reach the end of the penultimate day of the second round of group matches at World Cup 2026.

And for all the drama and the other superstars who continued perhaps the best race ever for the Golden Boot, in the end the day belonged to a man who is two days away from turning 39.

Lionel Messi has been delighting and confounding fans and pundits for more than two decades, and today he broke one of the biggest records in international football.

He started the day level with Miroslav Klose, but now, after one missed penalty and two goals, he is the most successful scorer in World Cup finals history with 18.

And he potentially has six more games to go!

We'll see you tomorrow for the next exciting instalment, but for now this is Andrew McGarry on behalf of Henry Hanson, saying thanks for joining us and wishing you a very good afternoon!

Coming up tomorrow

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By Andrew McGarry

The second round of the group stage comes to a close tomorrow with four more games.

Here's what's on offer:

Group K: Portugal vs Uzbekistan at 3am AEST (2:30am ACST, 1am AWST) @ Houston Stadium

Group L: England vs Ghana at 6am AEST (5:30am ACST, 4am AWST) @ Boston Stadium

Group L: Panama vs Croatia at 9am AEST (8:30am ACST, 7am AWST) @ Toronto Stadium

Group K: Colombia vs DR Congo at 12pm AEST (11:30am ACST, 10am AWST) at Estadio Guadalajara

Here's how Group J looks with a round of games to go

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By Andrew McGarry

As you can see, Argentina is sitting pretty on six points from two games and is through to the next round.

Austria and Algeria each have three points from two games, with the European team's zero goal difference giving it the edge.

For Jordan, two losses from two games leaves it bottom of the table.

FT stats

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By Andrew McGarry

Shots: Algeria 17, Jordan 8

Shots on target: Algeria 8, Jordan 4

Possession: Algeria 55 per cent, Jordan 29 per cent

Pass accuracy: Algeria 91 per cent, Jordan 73 per cent

Corners: Algeria 10, Jordan 1

FT: Algeria eliminates Jordan from World Cup with 2-1 victory

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By Andrew McGarry

It's joy for Algeria and despair for Jordan as the final whistle goes.

You could see it coming for most of the second half, as Algeria, who was trailing to a first-half goal from Nizar Al-Rashdan, scored twice after the break to grab the points.

A great header by Nadhir Benbouali got the North Africans back in the game, before a scrambled goal in the last 10 minutes of normal time from Amine Gouiri finished the job.

They go on to face Austria with a chance to advance to the knockout stage. For Jordan, it has a final game against Argentina, but regardless of that result, its World Cup dream is over.

90+5' Corner to Algeria

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By Andrew McGarry

Algeria has this in its hands. It forces a corner on the left, and, not surprisingly, is in no hurry to take it.

The corner comes in and is cleared, and we are down to the last chances for Jordan.

90+4' Jordan running out of ideas

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By Andrew McGarry

Time is running out for Jordan, and the team seem devoid of ideas.

They are trying to go down the wings to get space for the usual crosses, but they are hitting the passes too long, and the ball is running out for a goal kick.

Algeria is nearly home.

90' Breakdown in communication stalls Jordan counter

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By Andrew McGarry

It's getting to desperation stakes for Jordan. They block an Algerian attack and switch play to the right, they are attacking down the wing, but oh no!

The Jordanian player had a teammate ahead of him, but as he passed ahead, his teammate ran forward, not expecting it, and the ball rolled into touch.

There will be seven minutes of added time.

87' Jordan must score to stay in the World Cup

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By Andrew McGarry

So with that goal, Algeria leads, and Jordan is heading for the exits unless something changes.

If they finish with two losses, even if they somehow stun Argentina in the final game, they will lose out on tie-breakers to both Austria and Algeria.

They MUST score a goal in the final three minutes plus added time.

84' The goal stands, Algeria leads 2-1

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By Andrew McGarry

The VAR check confirms the goal, as the ball seemed to cannon off a Jordan defender before it was bundled in by Gouiri.

Algeria has come from behind and is right back in Group J!

81' Algeria scores again through Amine Gouiri

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By Andrew McGarry

We said it, the crosses and corners from Algeria have been dangerous for Jordan.

They've done it again, from a corner on the right, the ball was scrambled home by Amine Gouiri.

They celebrate, but will it stand?

It is being checked for a possible offside...

80' Algeria looking stronger in final stages

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By Andrew McGarry

Algeria is looking the stronger team here as we enter the final 10 minutes of normal time.

They are targeting their right wing, the left wing of Jordan's defence.

They were doing it with Mahrez. Now he's gone off, Hadj-Moussa is playing the same role.

Benbouali ties it up against Jordan

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By Andrew McGarry

Another frantic last 20 minutes coming up

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By Andrew McGarry

Kerplunk Algeria! Well done, pressure tells. Okay, post ad break expecting a rollicking last section.

- Big Ben

Big Ben,

I think you're right! And Riyad Mahrez has just come off for Algeria, who are bringing on younger striker Anis Hadj Moussa. They are clearly going for the win here.

72' Algeria surging, force big save from Zidane

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By Andrew McGarry

This game is open right now, and Algeria has the momentum.

They shift down the left and win a free kick. Instead of going for the direct shot, they send it back to Fares Chaibi, who crashes a shot from distance that is palmed away by Luca Zidane!

It's time for a hydration break. This one is right in the balance.

68' Benbouali heads Algeria level!

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By Andrew McGarry

It has been coming, and Algeria has finally made it count.

Another corner for the Algerians on the right. It's swung into the box, and this time Nadhir Benbouali rises perfectly to head it down into the left-hand corner, past a despairing Abulaila.

It's 1-1! All to play for!

66' Free kick, corner to Algeria as it ramps up the pressure

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By Andrew McGarry

We should be in for an eventful last 25 minutes here in Santa Clara.

Riyad Mahrez is being closely watched by Jordan, and is fouled on the right.

The free kick came in and was headed over, but caught a deflection for a corner.

The corner caused issues, but was cleared.

62' Nadhir Benbouali header leads to another Jordan save

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By Andrew McGarry

The crosses and passes are coming with great regularity.

The cross came in from the right for Algeria, and substitute Nadhir Benbouali rose to nod it down towards the corner of the net. But Jordan keeper Abulaila was there again to deny them.