Algeria clinches dramatic 2-1 win over Jordan
Algeria turned a deficit into a vital 2-1 triumph against World Cup newcomers Jordan in San Francisco, keeping their knockout‑stage aspirations alive.
Jordan shocked the North Africans early, with Nizar Al Rashdan capitalising on a misplaced pass by Ramiz Zerrouki in the 36th minute to slot the ball home with the outside of his right foot.
The Jordanians had already tested Algeria’s defence in the opening minute when Al Rashdan’s header went just wide. Despite dominating possession, Algeria struggled to break through, with Amine Gouiri, Fares Chaibi and Riyad Mahrez all denied by goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila.
After the break, Algeria returned with renewed urgency. Ibrahim Maza forced a save from distance, while Nadhir Benbouali also saw his effort blocked by Abulaila as the pressure mounted.
The equaliser arrived in the 69th minute when Benbouali flicked a corner from Mahrez into the far corner. Algeria kept pushing and found the winner eight minutes from time; another corner caused chaos in the Jordan box and Gouiri reacted fastest to hook the bouncing ball into the net, completing the turnaround.
The result leaves Algeria’s qualification hopes intact, while Jordan remain pointless after their maiden World Cup appearance.
Haaland brace powers Norway past Senegal
Erling Haaland continued his scoring streak, netting twice as Norway edged Senegal 3-2 in New Jersey to seal a place in the last‑32.
Norway took the lead just before halftime when substitute Marcus Pedersen pounced on a poor clearance by Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and fired home. Haaland then took centre stage immediately after the restart, latching onto a precise through‑ball from Martin Odegaard and finishing calmly to make it 2-0, becoming Norway’s all‑time leading World Cup scorer.
Senegal responded through Ismaila Sarr, whose goal briefly revived hopes of a comeback. However, Haaland restored Norway’s two‑goal cushion five minutes later with a composed side‑foot volley that bounced off the crossbar and into the net.
The Manchester City striker has now scored in 12 consecutive competitive matches for Norway and has recorded at least two goals in each of his last six outings.
Sarr struck again deep into stoppage time to set up a tense finale, and the Crystal Palace winger nearly snatched a dramatic equaliser with the final chance of the match, only to head the ball over the bar.
Managed by Ståle Solbakken, Norway were the superior 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 brace guides France to victory over Iraq
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, raising his World Cup tally to 16 goals in 16 appearances – just two shy of Lionel Messi’s all‑time record.
France made a bright start, opening the scoring after 14 minutes when Mbappe collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled a precise left‑footed effort into the far corner. Despite early dominance, the 2018 champions found it hard to create clear‑cut chances later, 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 halted by severe weather. Lightning strikes forced a delay of more than two hours between the halves, and earlier heavy rain had already complicated stadium access for supporters.
After the interruption, France returned 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 the ball for Mbappe to finish from close range.
Les Bleus continued to threaten. 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 late on, with Rebin Sulaka volleying over and Ali Al Hamadi failing to connect with a dangerous delivery from Marko Farji. Mbappe also had a chance to complete his hat‑‑trick but fired high and wide after breaking clear.
France sit atop 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.
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