Algeria came behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in a World Cup Group J game yesterday, eliminating the Asian debutants from the tournament.
Amine Gouiri equalised Nizar al-Rashdan’s opening goal before Nadhir Benbouali scored Algeria’s winner in the 82nd minute in Santa Clara, reports AFP.
The win gives Algeria hope of progressing to the knockout round if they can beat Austria in Kansas City on Saturday.
Austria lost 2-0 to Argentina earlier yesterday, leaving the South Americans top of Group J on six points.
The Austrians and Algeria have three points each.
Jordan face Argentina in Arlington, Texas on Saturday in their farewell to the tournament.
Mbappe Shines For France
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th cap by scoring two more World Cup goals yesterday as France eased to a 3-0 win over Iraq in a game delayed by two hours by a severe storm.
Mbappe opened the scoring in the 14th minute and added another nine minutes into the second half, with last year’s Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele getting the other goal for the tournament favourites in Philadelphia.
Mbappe moved to 16 World Cup goals in his career, two behind Lionel Messi who set a new record of 18 goals by netting twice for Argentina against Austria earlier yesterday.
The match in Philadelphia kicked off at 5:00 pm local time (2100 GMT) and had to be halted at half-time as a huge storm passed over the city.
Having started in dry conditions, torrential rain began to fall late in the first half, and supporters were told as soon as the half-time whistle was blown to “exit the open seating area and seek shelter in covered areas”.
The vast majority of the 68,324-capacity Lincoln Financial Field is uncovered — leaving most of the capacity crowd to pack into the concourses.
The second half eventually got under way more than two hours behind schedule, in what was the first match at this World Cup to be held up by bad weather.
