The second half unraveled the same way the Austria game did. Jordan dropped deep, Algeria pounded the corners, and the defensive fragility that conceded 3 in the opener showed up again. Once Benbouali equalized, Jordan had no answer and Gouiri put the knife in 13 minutes later. They finish their World Cup debut with 0 points from 2 games, but Al-Tamari in particular showed there is real quality in this squad.
The first 45 minutes will not be watched back fondly in the Algeria camp. Mahrez was back in the starting XI, Algeria had the ball, and Jordan had the goal. Petkovic's side pressed and probed but could not find a way through a compact Jordan block. Zerrouki picked up a yellow before halftime and Algeria went to the break behind, again unable to convert possession into anything meaningful.
What fixed it in the second half was simpler than any tactical plan: corners. Mahrez's delivery in the 69th found Benbouali free at the back post for the headed equalizer. Then Gouiri — who started ahead of Amoura and justified it — nodded home from close range after another set piece in the 82nd. VAR checked the winner for offside and let it stand. Algeria are on 3 points, level with Austria, and the final group match between those 2 will determine who accompanies Argentina into the Round of 32.
A clean sweep — all 3 picks hit. The moneyline landed as Algeria ground out the win, though the path was considerably messier than the bull case implied. The bear case showed up on schedule in the first half: Al-Tamari did exactly what we flagged, setting up Jordan's opener in transition, and Algeria conceded before they could establish control. Despite that, the spread at -0.5 covered — Algeria won by 1 goal, right on the line. The over 2.5 cashed with 3 total goals, driven by the desperation factor we cited pre-match.
The preview called Bensebaini absent as a bear risk, but he started — that concern never materialized. We also had Amoura leading Algeria's line; it was Gouiri who played and scored the winner from a set piece rather than the open-play brilliance the bull case envisioned. Algeria's advance probability sits at 75.5%, Austria is the final obstacle, and Jordan are done.
Argentina1-3
Algeria1-2
Austria1-3
Switzerland0-2Austria3-3Jordan2-1Argentina0-3