The flags of Jordan and Algeria are displayed on the pitch before the match between the two countries in Group J play of the FIFA 2026 World Cup at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Monday JUN 22, 2026. (Marko Ukalovic-SRS)
by Marko Ukalovic
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Amine Gouiri of Algeria scored the game winning goal in the 82nd minute as the North African country stormed back with two second half goals to defeat Jordan in a 2-1 come from behind victory in Group J play of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday evening at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
The crowd of 68,371 people, including Jordan’s King Abudullah II, witnessed a spirted match between the two countries as Jordan, who made its World Cup debut, played its second match in Santa Clara. Fans got the wave started early in the first half as each scoring chance produced a roar of excitement.
Hadj Moussa set up Gouiri’s heroics when he sent in a corner kick into the middle of the box. After a deflection off of a Jordanian defender, Gouiri was all alone to poke home the ball past Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila that set off a frenzy of celebration as the entire team jumped over the boards to celebrate with the fans in the first row of the south endzone.
Jordan played well in the first half as they drew first blood in the 36th minute. Mousa Al-Tamari set up Nizar Al-Rashdan with a false touch with a kick up in the air. The ball landed on the foot of Al-Rashdan who perfectly placed a right-footed shot into the lower left corner of the net past Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of former French soccer great Zinedane Zidane, for his first goal of the tournament.
Algeria took control late in the first half with strong possession of the ball but weren’t able to get shots on target once inside the box.
Algeria continued that momentum immediately to start the second half and never looked back. They controlled possession for the majority of the half and limited Jordan’s chances of scoring a second goal. They pressured Jordan’s backline and finally had shots on target only to have Abulaila punch them away and out of danger.
A set piece in the 69th minute is how Algeria scored the equalizer. Riyad Mahrez’s corner kick sailed perfectly over to Nadhir Benbouali whose header was the straw that finally broke Abulaila as he was not able to get across to stop it.
It was Algeria’s first win of the tournament and gave life to a team who now believes they can advance to the Round of 32 with a win against Austria upcoming on Saturday. For Jordan, they have been eliminated in their first ever World Cup and now face the daunting task of having to deal with Lionel Messi and the current World Cup Champions Argentina who lead Group J with six points.
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