2026 FIFA World Cup — Group J, Matchday 2 | June 22 | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — For 45 minutes, Jordan dreamed. Then Riyad Mahrez woke them up.
The Asian side took a shock lead in the 36th minute when Nizar Al-Rashdan finished off a Mousa Al-Tamari cross. Jordan’s first-ever World Cup victory was within reach. Their fans were singing. The scoreboard read 1-0 at half-time.
Then Algeria turned the game on its head with two set-piece goals. Nadir Benbouali headed in Mahrez’s corner in the 69th minute. Amine Gouiri flicked in another Mahrez corner in the 82nd minute. VAR confirmed the goal. 2-1.
Jordan are out. Two defeats. Zero points. The first AFC team eliminated from the 2026 World Cup.
Mahrez’s Deliveries
Algeria dominated possession — 72 percent — and took 17 shots to Jordan’s 8. But for an hour, they could not find a way past Jordan’s goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila, who made six saves.
The breakthrough came from Mahrez’s right boot. The former Manchester City winger delivered two perfect corners — one to the near post for Benbouali, one to the far post for Gouiri. Jordan’s zonal marking could not cope.
Algeria now have three points and face Austria in their final group match. The winner will join Argentina in the Round of 32.
Group J Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 6 |
| 2 | Austria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Algeria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| 4 | Jordan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
Match Details:
- Jordan 1-2 Algeria
- Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California, USA
- Goals: Al-Rashdan 36′ (assist: Al-Tamari), Benbouali 69′ (assist: Mahrez), Gouiri 82′
- Man of the Match: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)