Algeria respond to Messi’s hat-trick with crucial win over Jordan to Keep World Cup knockout hope alive

Algeria kept their FIFA World Cup hopes alive with a spirited second-half comeback to defeat Jordan 2-1 in a Group J encounter at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Tuesday morning.

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After suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Argentina in their opening match, Vladimir Petkovic's side desperately needed a response and delivered when it mattered most.

The victory earned the Desert Foxes their first three points of the tournament, lifting them to third place in Group J ahead of a crucial final fixture against Austria.

For Jordan, who had entered the match buoyed by Algeria's opening-day struggles, the defeat leaves them facing an uphill task heading into their last group game against Argentina.

Algeria dominated possession from the outset and looked determined to make amends for their disappointing performance against Argentina.

Amine Gouiri squandered an early opportunity when he miskicked from inside the area, while Fares Chaibi and Riyad Mahrez both tested Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila as the North Africans controlled proceedings.

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Mahrez, captaining the side, was at the heart of most of Algeria's attacking moves and nearly produced a moment of magic in the 33rd minute.

The winger danced past two defenders before firing from the penalty spot, but Abulaila was equal to the effort.

Algeria thought they had a strong penalty appeal two minutes later when Rayan Ait-Nouri burst into the box and went down under a challenge, only for referee Slavko Vincic to wave play on.

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Having soaked up pressure for much of the first half, Jordan struck against the run of play in the 36th minute.

Nizar Al Rashdan found space outside the penalty area and unleashed a low effort that beat Luca Zidane to hand Jordan a surprise 1-0 lead.

The goal stunned Algeria, who headed into the halftime break trailing despite enjoying 74 percent possession and creating the better chances.

Recognising the need for a spark, Petkovic made two changes at the restart, introducing Nabil Bentaleb and striker Nadir Benbouali. The substitutions transformed Algeria's attack.

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Ibrahim Maza began finding pockets of space and twice went close, first forcing a save from Abulaila before narrowly missing the target with a powerful effort from distance.

Jordan almost doubled their lead when Noor Al Rawabdeh's effort flashed just wide of the post, but Algeria continued to press forward. Their persistence finally paid off in the 69th minute.

Mahrez whipped in a dangerous corner and Benbouali rose highest inside the area, directing a bouncing header into the bottom corner to level the scores at 1-1 and ignite the 68,371 spectators inside the stadium.

With momentum now firmly on their side, Algeria pushed relentlessly for a winner.

Hadj Moussa's introduction for Mahrez injected fresh energy down the flank and the substitute immediately began causing problems for the Jordan defence.

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After seeing one effort blocked and winning successive corners, Hadj Moussa was again involved in the decisive moment eight minutes from time.

The ball broke kindly inside the area following sustained Algerian pressure and Gouiri reacted quickest, slotting into an unguarded net from close range to complete the turnaround.

The celebrations were briefly put on hold as VAR reviewed the goal for a possible offside in the build-up, but referee Vincic upheld the original decision, confirming Algeria's 82nd-minute winner.

The final whistle sparked celebrations among the Algerian players and supporters, who know the victory has kept their World Cup dream alive.

With Argentina already leading the group on six points, Algeria's fate will now be decided in a high-stakes final-day showdown against Austria, while Jordan must overcome the South Americans to have any chance of progressing.

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WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 2)

Jordan-Algeria 1-2 (1-0)

/Al Rashdan 36-Benbouali 69, Gouiri 82/

Tuesday 23.06

20.00: (1.22) Portugal (6.50) Uzbekistan (13.0)

Wednesday 24.06.

05.00: (1.50) Colombia (3.90) DR Congo (7.75)

***odds are subject to change***