2026 FIFA World Cup: Algeria Grab First Win, Haaland Sinks Senegal, Mbappe Scores Brace

Algeria came from behind to secure a crucial 2-1 win over World Cup debutants Jordan in San Francisco, keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stage firmly intact.

Jordan frustrated their opponents for much of the contest and stunned the North Africans in the 36th minute when Nizar Al Rashdan punished a costly mistake from Ramiz Zerrouki before finishing neatly with the outside of his right foot.

The Jordanians had threatened early, with Al Rashdan heading narrowly wide inside the opening minute, while Algeria struggled to convert their dominance in possession into goals. Amine Gouiri and Fares Chaibi both went close, and Riyad Mahrez was denied by goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila after racing through on goal.

Algeria emerged after the break with greater urgency. Ibrahim Maza tested Abulaila from distance, while Nadhir Benbouali was also kept out by the Jordan goalkeeper as pressure mounted.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 69th minute when Benbouali glanced Mahrez’s corner into the far corner to level the score. Algeria continued to push for a winner and found it eight minutes from time. Another dangerous corner caused problems in the Jordan box, and Gouiri reacted quickest to hook the bouncing ball home and complete the turnaround.

The result leaves Algeria’s qualification hopes alive, while Jordan remain without a point from their first appearance at the World Cup.

Haaland Double Sends Norway Into World Cup Knockout Stage

Erling Haaland struck twice as Norway secured a place in the World Cup last 32 with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Senegal in New Jersey.

The Manchester City forward continued his remarkable scoring form and now has four World Cup goals after only two appearances in the tournament, twice as many as any other Norwegian player in the competition’s history.

Norway took the lead shortly before half-time when substitute Marcus Pedersen capitalised on a poor clearance from Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and fired home. Haaland then took centre stage immediately after the restart, racing on to a precise through ball from Martin Odegaard before finishing confidently to make it 2-0 and become Norway’s all-time leading World Cup scorer.

Senegal responded through Ismaila Sarr, whose goal briefly reignited hopes of a comeback. However, Haaland restored Norway’s two-goal advantage just five minutes later, guiding a composed side-foot volley in off the crossbar.

The striker has now scored in 12 consecutive competitive matches for Norway and has registered at least two goals in each of his last six appearances.

Sarr struck again deep into stoppage time to set up a tense finish, and the Crystal Palace winger nearly snatched a dramatic equaliser with the final chance of the match, only to head over the bar.

Norway, managed by Stale Solbakken, were the better side for long periods and have now qualified from Group I alongside France. Senegal must defeat Iraq in their final group match to keep their knockout hopes alive.

Mbappe Nets Twice as France Cruise Past Iraq in Weather-Delayed Clash

Kylian Mbappe moved level with the second-highest scorer in World Cup history as France eased to a 3-0 win over Iraq in a match heavily disrupted by severe weather in Philadelphia.

The France captain scored in each half to take his World Cup tally to 16 goals in 16 matches, leaving him just two behind Lionel Messi’s all-time record.

France made a bright start and deservedly opened the scoring after 14 minutes. Mbappe collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled a precise left-footed effort into the far corner. Despite dominating early, the 2018 world champions found it difficult to create clear-cut chances afterwards, while Iraq enjoyed longer spells of possession before losing captain Aymen Hussein to injury.

The match became the first at this World Cup to be interrupted by severe weather. Lightning strikes in the area forced a delay of more than two hours between the two halves, while heavy rain earlier in the day had already complicated access for supporters arriving at the stadium.

France returned from the stoppage with renewed intensity and doubled their lead thanks to a costly error from Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil. A misplaced short goal-kick gifted possession to Ousmane Dembele, who squared for Mbappe to finish from close range.

Les Bleus continued to create chances. Adrien Rabiot headed wide from a promising position, while Michael Olise rattled the crossbar with an audacious effort. The third goal eventually arrived when Dembele swept home after being brilliantly picked out by Olise’s outside-of-the-foot pass.

Iraq threatened occasionally late on, with Rebin Sulaka volleying over and Ali Al Hamadi unable to connect with a dangerous delivery from Marko Farji. Mbappe also passed up a chance to complete his hat-trick when he fired high and wide after breaking clear.

France sit top of Group I with six points and remain on course for a third consecutive World Cup final appearance, while Iraq are bottom of the group without a point.