On Thursday, Algeria secured their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup by overpowering Somalia with a 3-0 victory at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Bir El Djir, celebrating a triumphant qualification on home soil.
The Desert Foxes earned crucial three points, widening their gap over Uganda in Group G by four points, ensuring their position at the summit of the group regardless of the final fixture’s outcome.
Algeria, with a history of four World Cup appearances, last competed on football’s biggest stage in 2014.
Conversely, Somalia remains at the bottom of the group standings, having collected only one point from nine matches played.
As reported by Supersport, Mohamed Amoura opened the scoring early, heading in a precise cross from Riyad Mahrez in the sixth minute, giving Algeria an immediate edge.
Shortly thereafter, Baghdad Bounedjah nearly doubled the lead with a header that narrowly missed the goal.
In the 18th minute, Bounedjah’s cross from the left wing was blocked, but the ball fell to Farès Chaïbi, whose follow-up shot struck the post, denying Algeria a swift second goal.
Mahrez continued to impress offensively, netting Algeria’s second goal in the 19th minute. Chaïbi’s cross from the byline bypassed defenders, finding Mahrez unmarked, who skillfully curled the ball into the top left corner, marking his second decisive contribution of the match.
The Desert Foxes kept up relentless pressure, with Ramy Bensebaini’s header in the 26th minute saved by Somalia’s goalkeeper Abdirahman Mohamud Jama.
Somalia’s first notable opportunity arrived in the 38th minute when Handwalla Bwana received a corner at the edge of the box but failed to keep his shot on target, sending it over the crossbar.
In the second half, Algeria extended their advantage in the 57th minute. Mahrez’s delicate cross found Amoura, who rose above the defense to score his second headed goal of the night.
At 62 minutes, Ibrahim Maza attempted a shot from the edge of the penalty area but missed the target.
Somalia’s defense was tested again in the 77th minute when Faisal Othman made a crucial block on a close-range attempt, preventing further damage.
Late in the game, substitute Youcef Belaïli displayed impressive dribbling skills in the 89th minute, weaving past defenders into the box, but his final shot went wide.
With their World Cup qualification secured, Algeria can now approach their upcoming clash against Uganda at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium with confidence and without pressure.
Meanwhile, Somalia will look to end their campaign positively by aiming for a win when they host Mozambique at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium on Tuesday.