Algeria scored off two corner kicks in the second half to rally from an early deficit and defeat Jordan 2-1 to boost their chances of advancing to the knockout round of the World Cup.

Second-half substitute Nadhir Benbouali headed in a corner kick in the 69th minute and Amine Gouiri provided the game-winner in the 82nd to give Algeria their first win at the World Cup since 2014.

The Jordanians had taken the lead for the first time at a World Cup on a first-half goal by Nizar Al Rashdan but couldn’t withstand the continual pressure from Algeria in the second half.

This marked the first time Algeria had ever won a World Cup game after conceding the first goal.

They had seven losses and two draws previously when that happened.

Algeria bounced back after a 3-0 defeat to Argentina in its opening game and can finish second in Group J – and clinch a spot in the knockout round – with a win on Saturday against Austria.

Jordan are out of contention for the knockout rounds with a second straight loss.

Momentum clearly swung after Benbouali equalised when Riyad Mahrez’s corner kick found him in the middle of the box and he sent a header into the corner that Yazeed Abulaila couldn’t stop.

Algeria kept up the attack and took the lead when Gouiri got a touch on a ball in the box that deflected off Abulaila and into the net, setting off an Algerian celebration with their fans just behind the goal. (AP)



Edited by Tony Sabine