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Jordan vs Algeria Stats: World Cup Debutants Eliminated as Mahrez Assist Inspires Comeback

Jordan‘s hopes of extending their first World Cup campaign beyond the group stage came to an end as Algeria forged a comeback in California.

Riyad Mahrez played his part as Algeria came from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 and put themselves in a strong position to progress from Group J.

Algeria were swatted aside by Lionel Messi on matchday one, and were staring down the barrel of another defeat when Nizar Al Rashdan put Jordan ahead in the 36th minute at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

But after a first half in which Algeria dominated possession but Jordan got the goal, World Cup debutants Jordan were second best after the interval, as Algeria upped the pressure.

Mahrez, having fluffed his lines a couple of times when through on goal in the first half, provided the spark with an excellent corner, delivered onto the head of substitute Nadhir Benbouali in the 69th minute.

Yazeed Abulaila was caught off his line, and Benbouali was able to direct his header into the left-hand corner.

Algeria’s comeback was complete in the 82nd minute when Jordan’s set-piece defending again let them down, as Amine Gouiri nudged home from point-blank range, with the goal standing after a VAR check for offside.

Seven minutes of stoppage time was not enough for Jordan – now without a win in seven games – to turn the tide, as their elimination was confirmed ahead of their MD3 clash against Argentina, who are now confirmed as group winners.

Algeria’s historic comeback

In 10 previous World Cup matches in which they conceded the first goal, Algeria had never managed to come from behind to win.

That run is now over, thanks to Algeria’s latest World Cup goal scored in regulation time (81 minutes, 40 seconds).

It was going so well for Jordan at half-time. They were ahead through Al Rashdan’s fifth international goal, and had created 0.54 xG in the opening 45 minutes, having created chances worth only 0.46 across the entirety of their opening game against Austria.

Yet Algeria dominated the second half, having 69.3% possession, 13 shots to Jordan’s two, and accumulating 1.19 xG.

Mahrez, at 35 years and 121 days, became the oldest player to ever start for Algeria in a World Cup match.

This was just his second start at the tournament, with his first having come against Belgium back in 2014, before his rise to superstardom with Leicester City.

Mahrez led the match for chances created (three) and crosses (seven).

Our Opta match centre delivers you all the Jordan vs Algeria stats from their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J meeting at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California on 22 June.

The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own match analysis.

Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta stats on the game as well. 

Jordan vs Algeria: Post-Match Opta Facts

  • Nadhir Benbouali is the second player to score for Algeria as a substitute in a FIFA World Cup after Abdelmoumene Djabou against Germany in 2014. He became the first player to score while representing a club team in Hungary since Lajos Détári did so in 1986 for Hungary against Canada.
  • The 82nd-minute game-winning goal by Amine Gouiri is Algeria’s latest in regulation in their World Cup history. 
  • Jordan are the first team to score in each of their first two FIFA World Cup matches since Cote d’Ivoire did so in 2006 (first three). 

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