FIFA WORLD CUP 26™ SF BAY AREA MATCH RECAP: Algeria 2, Jordan 1

Algeria fans celebrate in the stands as Algeria takes on Jordan during the FIFA World Cup 26™ at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (49ers Photo)

Fennec Foxes’ second-half rally eliminates valiant World Cup debutants

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (June 22, 2026) — The San Francisco Bay Area played host to its fourth match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in thrilling fashion as Algeria came back to edge Jordan 2-1 on Monday night in Group J play. Though Nizar Al Rashdan would give Jordan their first-ever lead in the World Cup, Algeria’s proficiency in executing set pieces led to the equalizer and game-winner in the second half as the Fennec Foxes kept their knockout stage hopes alive.

With both teams aiming to bounce back in the win column—Jordan coming off a raucous tournament debut in the same building amid much fanfare despite a loss to Austria and Algeria fresh off a disappointing goalless opening defeat against Argentina—the rival supporter bases were equally hungry for victory as 68,371 fans combined to fill a near-capacity San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

The initial moments were marked by both teams trading possession while probing and testing for their counterparts’ vulnerable spots. Then in minute 20, Algeria midfielder Hicham Boudaoui pinged a long ball from the edge of the center circle in his own half for right winger Riyad Mahrez. The longtime English Premier League star, now at Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, hauled it in the box with a deft first touch but was unable to get a shot off as Jordan center back Husam Abu Dahab recovered in time to poke the ball away and into the safe hands of goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila.

In minute 33, the Fennec Foxes again threatened the net with a familiar formula. Boudaoui again lifted a long ball from his own half toward the box for Mahrez, who headed it to himself into the turf and shot off the bounce, but Yazeed stepped up to bat it out of harm’s way.

But despite being forced on the back foot by Algeria several times, Jamal Sellami’s men would instead draw first blood in the 36th minute. With Algeria pinned in their own half, a wayward ball from central midfielder Ramiz Zerrouki was intercepted by his Jordan counterpart Mohannad Abu Taha, who promptly played a one-two with right winger Mousa Al Tamari. However, as Abu Taha scooted into the left edge of the box and tried to play Al Tamari once more, the latter attempted a one-timer with his left foot and shanked it. While on first glance, Jordan had wasted a golden opportunity, the ball rolled to Al Tamari’s right and to an opportunistic Nizar Al Rashdan. The Qatar SC midfielder charged forward into the box and slotted a low shot past Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane. The son of French World Cup legend Zinedine Zidane got his left glove on the ball but not enough of it to keep it from rolling into the back of the net. Al Rashdan’s fifth career goal for Jordan was an important one as Al Nashama (The Chivalrous Ones) took their first-ever lead in the World Cup, 1-0.

Instead of passively protecting their advantage into the break, Jordan kept the pressure on Algeria, and in minute 45, center forward Ali Olwan, who scored the historic first goal for the World Cup debutants in their previous game against Austria, executed a smooth turn and pushed a through ball into the box for a streaking Mahmoud Al-Mardi, but Algeria captain and center back Aissa Mandi emerged with a sliding challenge at the last moment to keep the margin 1-0 at halftime.

Trailing after intermission, Vladimir Petković’s squad came out swinging. In minute 54, Algeria forward Amine Gouiri laid the ball off to midfielder Ibrahim Maza, who took one touch before blasting a long-range shot on goal that veered but was parried away by Yazeed.

But Algeria could not sustain the attack, and Jordan went back on the offensive. Four minutes later, Al-Tamari had a chance in the box but Ramy Bensebani took the ball away at the last instance. Jordan assailed the net again in minute 62 when Al-Rawabdeh drove forward, cutting inside and curling a shot from deep but it just floated over the crossbar.

That last barrage appeared to wake up Algeria, as one minute later, second-half substitute Nabil Bentaleb forced Yazeed to save a well-placed header. The Fennec Foxes got closer in minute 66 when a Mahrez cross almost connected with Maza for paydirt, but Yazeed again found the resolve to ultimately punch it away.  But the Jordanian goalkeeper’s valiant efforts were unable to stop Algeria in the 69th minute, when a Mahrez inswinger off a corner kick found an elevating Nadhir Benbouali, who headed it into the bottom corner as Yazeed leaned the opposite way for the 1-1 equalizer. It was the third set piece that has led to a goal against the Jordan defense so far in the tournament.

At this point of the match, the momentum was all Algeria’s, and in the 82nd minute, the Jordan back line’s Achilles’ heel reared its ugly head once more, this time with the most severe of consequences. Second-half substitute Anis Hadj Moussa, whose tricky play on the ball had given the opposition multiple problems since he entered the game for Mahrez, won another corner kick. Moussa’s subsequent inswinger was headed by Ramy Bensebaini toward the far post, where Gouiri beat his marker to the bouncing ball in the six-yard box. The Algerian forward then swept it past Yazeed for the go-ahead goal.

Now up 2-1, Algeria almost added a third goal from yet another corner kick in minute 90 when Maza attempted a shot on net, but Yazeed stood tall and cleared it as the last line of defense. A desperate Jordan found new life when referee Vincić Slavko announced seven minutes of stoppage time, but it was all for naught, as Al Nashama could not muster one final fruitful attack before the final whistle.

Both teams return to action Saturday, June 27, with simultaneous 7 p.m. PT kickoffs. Algeria travels to Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, to face Austria with second place in Group J in the balance. Meanwhile, while the Jordanians are eliminated and unable to advance, they still can earn their first World Cup result in their group stage finale. However, it will be a tall task as they will head to Dallas Stadium to face group leaders and defending World Cup champion Argentina in Arlington, Texas.

The next match in San Francisco Bay Area Stadium will be a Group D showdown between Australia and Paraguay with a second-place finish on the line Thursday, June 25, at 7 p.m. PT.

Jordan 1 – 2 Algeria

2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Group J

Monday, June 22, 2026

San Francisco Bay Area Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.

Weather: 70°F Sunny

Attendance: 68,371

Michelob ULTRA Superior Player of the Match: Ibrahim Maza

Match Officials: 

Referee: Vincić Slavko (SVN)

AR1: Tomaz Klancnik (CVN)

AR2: Andraz Kovacić (SVN)

4th Official: Oshane Nation (JAM)

VAR1: Ivan Bebek (CRO)

VAR2: Jarred Gillett (ENG)

VAR3: Bram Van Driessche (BEL)

Scoring Summary:

JOR (1-0) – Nizar Al Rashdan (Mousa Al Tamari) 36’

ALG (1-1) – Nadhir Benbouali (Riyad Mahrez) 69’

ALG (1-2) – Amine Gouiri (unassisted) 82’

Misconduct Summary:

ALG – Ramiz Zerrouki (caution) 44’

JOR – Husam Abu Dahab (caution) 64’

JORDAN (Head Coach Jamal Sellami; 3-4-3): Yazeed Abulaila (GK); Yazan Alarab, Husam Abu Dahab (Saleem Obaid 90+1’), Abdallah Nasib; Mohannad Abu Taha (Mohammad Abuhasheesh 84’), Nizar Al Rashdan, Noor Alrawabdeh, Ehsan Haddad (C); Mahmoud Almardi (Odeh Fakhoury 76’), Ali Olwan (Mohammad Abuzraiq 90+1’), Mousa Al Tamari (Ali Azaizeh 84’).

Substitutes not used: Nour Baniateyah (GK), Abdallah Alfakhori (GK), Amer Jamous, Rajaei Ayed, Ibrahim Sadeh, Mohammad Abu Alnadi, Mohammad Abughoush, Saed Alrosan, Mohammad Aldaoud, Anas Badawi.

POSS.: 30%; SHOTS: 8; SOG: 4; CORNERS: 1; OFFSIDES: 1; FOULS: 10

ALGERIA (Head Coach Vladimir Petković; 4-3-3): Luca Zidane (GK); Rayan Ait-Nouri (Jaouen Hadjam 85’), Ramy Bensebani. Aissa Mandi (C), Rafik Belghali; Ibrahim Maza, Ramiz Zerrouki (Nabil Bentaleb HT), Hicham Boudaoui (Nadhir Benbouali HT); Fares Chaibi, Amine Gouiri (Zineddine Belaid 85’), Riyad Mahrez (Anis Hadj Moussa 76’).

Substitutes not used: Melvin Mastil (GK), Oussama Benbot (GK), Achref Abada, Mohamed Amine Tougai, Houssem Aouar, Anis Hadj Moussa, Adil Boulbina, Yassine Titraoui, Fares Ghedjemis, Samir Chergui.

POSS.: 55%; SHOTS: 18; SOG: 8; CORNERS: 10; OFFSIDES: 0; FOULS: 6