Algeria bounce back from Messi mauling to show signs of life at World Cup

[p]Coach Vladimir Petkovic's side had been outclassed 3-0 by the ‌defending champions but showed resilience and determination to beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/jordan/vNcmJoU2/"]Jordan[/a], ‌who were riding a wave of euphoria from their first-ever World Cup ‌appearance.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/algeria-nc87N1BR/jordan-vNcmJoU2/?mid=dx1FAaN7"]In the all-Arab clash at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/algeria/nc87N1BR/"]‌Algeria[/a], who used 14 players from clubs across seven European countries, combined precise passing with deft touches and adventurous runs in a relentless push to ‌get their World Cup back on track.[/p][p]Petkovic's decision ⁠to start with captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mahrez-riyad/AkzHA2kB/"]Riyad ‌Mahrez[/a] proved decisive in the 2-1 win. The former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a] forward was ​energetic, menacing and a central figure in their rally, providing the corner for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/senouci-nadhir/fL4AiH2s/"]Nadhir Benbouali[/a]'s headed equaliser.[/p][image alt="Match stats" id="c629b40f-73b2-452e-b7ac-419e10ecb308" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="04cf1a5b-c11d-4d61-8219-8ca077d90eb7" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gouiri-amine/K0zFVdU8/"]Amine Gouiri[/a] scored ​the winner eight minutes from time when he poked home a loose ball, triggering jubilation on the pitch and in the stands, ⁠and condemning Jordan to ​an early World Cup exit.[/p][p]"[b]We had the mental strength to come back, and I think we're continuing to improve. This victory, earned with character and determination, will do us the world of good[/b]," Gouiri ‌said.[/p][p]"[b]It could be a turning point. A win is always good, especially for confidence given the way the match unfolded. We're very happy, but we know nothing is done yet. We've taken an important step[/b]."[/p][p]Algeria had the majority of possession and 16 attempts on goal as they battled to break down a compact and organised Jordanian defence.[/p][p]Stifled on the flanks, they were creative in the middle, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/marseille/SblU3Hee/"]Marseille[/a]'s Gouiri linking up with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayer-leverkusen/4jcj2zMd/"]Bayer Leverkusen[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/maza-ibrahim/zPa6aAD8/"]Ibrahim Maza[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/boudaoui-hichem/URcBI8WC/"]‌Hicham Boudaoui[/a] sending two perfectly weighted passes from deep inside his ​half into the path of Mahrez.[/p][p]Algeria, who last appeared at ‌the 2014 World Cup, are hoping the expanded 48-team tournament will make it easier for them to reach the knockout rounds and offer them the chance to write a new story that goes beyond their famous 1982 upset of West Germany.[/p][p]They ⁠face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/austria/naHiWdnt/"]Austria[/a] in their final ⁠Group J game on Saturday.[/p]