Algeria Held by Guinea but Edges Closer to 2026 World Cup
Algeria’s journey toward the 2026 World Cup took an unexpected twist as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Guinea in a tense qualifier near Casablanca. Despite the lackluster performance, the Fennecs remain in a strong position, leading their group and just needing one win from their remaining two matches to secure a spot in the tournament.
The match began with Algeria having a golden chance early on. Mohamed Amoura was found one-on-one with Guinea’s goalkeeper Moussa Camara, but his effort was superbly blocked by a foot save. That moment set the tone for a first half that was largely uneventful. The Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy, who had troubled Algeria in previous encounters, was effectively neutralized by the Fennecs’ defense. Algeria’s attempts to assert dominance were steady but uninspired, and the teams went into halftime still scoreless.
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The second half saw a few near disasters for Algeria. Youcef Atal’s incredible header cleared a Guirassy attempt right off the goal line, preventing what could have been a game-changing goal for Guinea. Algeria tried to push forward, with Riyad Mahrez leading several attacks, but the finishing lacked precision. Both sides had their chances, especially in the closing stages, but the match ended in a stalemate. The Fennecs will now need to focus on their upcoming matches against Somalia and Uganda, knowing that a single victory will virtually guarantee their World Cup qualification.
Meanwhile, other teams in the group have been shaking up the standings. Uganda has overtaken Mozambique to become Algeria’s closest competitor, thanks to a 2-0 home win over Somalia. Madagascar has also surged in the race, defeating Chad 3-1 and drawing level with Ghana in Group I. After an early setback, Madagascar rallied with goals from Caddy, Rayan Raveloson, and Hakim Abdallah to secure the win, proving that the race for World Cup qualification is far from decided.
In other results, Guinea-Bissau claimed a 2-0 win against Djibouti, and Liberia and Malawi shared a 2-2 draw in a thrilling match. These results underline how competitive the African qualifying groups remain, with every point and goal having major implications.
For Algeria, the takeaway is clear: despite a disappointing draw against Guinea, their position at the top of Group G gives them a tangible path to the World Cup. With strategic play in their remaining matches, the Fennecs can transform this near-miss into full qualification, keeping hopes alive for fans across the nation. Guinea, on the other hand, now faces a challenging uphill battle to stay in contention.
The road to the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be dramatic, and Algeria’s next games will be watched closely, as one win could seal their place on football’s biggest stage.
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