Jordan – Sports Radio Service

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.

The flags of Austria and Jordan are displayed on the pitch at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium before the national anthems are played before Austria’s 3-1 win over Jordan on Tuesday JUN 16, 2026. (Marko Ukalovic-Sports Radio Service)

by Marko Ukalovic

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Austria scored two goals in the second half as they defeated Jordan 3-1 in Group J play of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday evening at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

Austria drew first blood in the 20th minute. Xavier Schlager found Romano Schmid just outside the box. Schmid dribbled toward the right before launching a right-footed blast into the upper right corner of the net for his first goal of the tournament.

Jordan had its best chance to score the equalizer in the 34th minute. Ali Olwan received the ball down the right wing and fired a shot from inside the box only to have Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager stoned him away. The rebound attempt by striker Mousa Al-Tamari was blocked by Davia Alaba and cleared out of danger for the Austrians.

Austria controlled the possession in the first half by a two-thirds to one-third margin. Jordan did register three shots on target with just one by Austria in the opening 45 minutes.

Jordan finally tallied the equalizer early in the second half. A giveaway by Austria led to Noor Al Deen Mahmoud Ali Al Rawabdeh finding Olwan along the left wing. Olwan streaked down into the middle before firing a shot around Philipp Leinhart and off the right post into the back of the net in the 50th minute for Jordan’s first goal in a World Cup match.

A controversial review erased a goal by Austria after a corner kick was pinballed inside the box and was kicked in by Marko Arnautovic in 71st minute. As Austria celebrated what they thought was the go-ahead goal, Jordan argued that there was a handball by Stefan Posch. After a video review it was determined Posch’s arm touched the ball and the goal was wiped away.

The Austrians regained the lead in the 76th minute when they received a fortuitous bounce off a set piece. Marcel Sabitzer’s corner kick into the middle of the box went off the back of Yazan Mousa Mahmoud Al Arab for an own goal.

Austria was awarded a penalty in the 11th minute of stoppage of time when after a VAR review determined Saleem Obaid intentionally put his hand on a shot from Arnautovic inside the box. Arnautovic converted the penalty for his first goal of the tournament and iced the game for Austria.

GAME NOTES: The paid attendance was 68,527, 300 seats shy of a sellout.

UP NEXT: Austria plays Argentina on Monday June 22nd at Dallas Stadium. Jordan plays Algeria also on the 22nd at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

Tag: Jordan

Gouiri’s late goal lifts Algeria in 2-1 comeback win over Jordan in Group J play

World Cup Soccer: Austria takes down Jordan 3-1 in Group J match play