SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Algeria turned two second-half corners into goals and came back to beat Jordan 2-1, giving the Algerians their first FIFA World Cup victory since 2014.
Jordan went in front in the first half through Nizar Al Rashdan, the first World Cup lead for the Jordanians. Algeria answered after halftime, with Second-half substitute Nadhir Benbouali heading in Riyad Mahrez’s corner in the 69th minute.
Amine Gouiri scored the winner in the 82nd, getting a touch in the box before the ball deflected off Yazeed Abulaila and into the net. Algerian fans behind the goal at Levi's Stadium celebrated as Algeria completed a comeback it had not managed before at a World Cup.
Algeria had previously lost seven times and drawn two when conceding first in a World Cup match. Vladimir Petkovic’s team changed that after opening Group J with a 3-0 loss to Argentina.
“We deserved to win this game,” Petkovic said, adding that the result gave Algeria confidence and belief before its next match. He said Algeria improved after halftime by winning more tackles, recovering more balls and making fewer mistakes.
Ibrahim Maza called the three points the most important part of the result and said Algeria would go into the Austria match with more confidence. Now Algeria can finish second in Group J and reach the knockout round with a win over Austria.
Jordan is out of contention for the knockout rounds after a second straight defeat, having opened with a 3-1 loss to Austria. Jamal Sellami said he was proud of his players and did not see a major skill gap, but pointed to corner kicks and set pieces as the difference.