Gouiri Seals Late Drama as Algeria Stun Jordan to Stay Alive

It took a masterclass in second-half resilience for Algeria to claw themselves back into contention, but they got the job done against Jordan in a match that swung decisively after the interval.

Trailing to Nizar Al-Rashdan's first-half strike, the North Africans levelled through Nadhir Benbouali's header before Amine Gouiri poked home in a goalmouth scramble with eight minutes remaining to seal a 2-1 victory and end the Jordanians' tournament dream.

The win leaves Algeria locked on three points with Austria in Group J, with both nations eyeing second place after Argentina—the defending champions—topped the group following their 2-0 demolition of the Austrians earlier in the day.

Vladimir Petkovic's side desperately needed this after their opening 3-0 hammering by Argentina, and the Algeria boss made a significant call by restoring Riyad Mahrez to the starting lineup. The veteran's presence made an immediate difference against a Jordan outfit content to sit deep and hunt for opportunities on the break.

Mahrez squandered two presentable chances in the opening period. First, he was undone by his own feet after latching onto a sumptuous Hicham Boudaoui lofted pass, before later finding himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Laila, only to see his chip kept out.

Jordan, who'd lost their opener 3-1 to Austria, punished Algeria's profligacy with a well-worked opener. A loose touch from Ramiz Zerrouki in midfield gifted possession, with Mousa Al-Tamari's shot deflecting across goal to Al-Rashdan, who swept a first-time finish into the bottom corner.

The interval reshuffle proved transformative. Petkovic introduced Nabil Bentaleb and Benbouali, and Algeria's intensity cranked up accordingly. The latter rose majestically to meet a Mahrez corner in the 69th minute, guiding a glancing header into the net to restore parity.

Thirteen minutes later, another set-piece proved decisive. Substitute Anis Hadj Moussa's curled corner caught a deflection off Al-Rashdan, and Gouiri was on hand to convert the loose ball and send Algeria through.

The reward is a Group J decider against Austria on Saturday in Kansas City—a fixture laden with historical baggage. Four decades on from the infamous "Disgrace of Gijon" at the 1982 World Cup, where Austria and West Germany were accused of conspiring to eliminate Algeria in their group match, the North Africans finally get their chance at redemption. Both nations denied any collusion, and FIFA cleared them of wrongdoing, but the narrative remains delicious.

Jordan, meanwhile, must pick themselves up to face Argentina and Lionel Messi, who has already netted all five of his side's goals in this tournament.