Algeria secured a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in a Tuesday friendly match held in Jeddah, boosting their momentum as thay prepare for the africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next year. Goals from Riyad Mahrez on a penalty kick and Rafik Belghali sealed the win for the Algerian side, while Saudi Arabia used the contest as a final tune-up before the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying draw. Both teams are navigating crucial periods of preparation as they aim to improve their standing on the international stage.
Algeria defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 on Tuesday at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, in a friendly match as both teams prepare for upcoming competitions. The victory provides a boost for Algeria as they gear up for a challenging tournament next year.
Goals from Riyad Mahrez (75th minute, penalty) and Rafik Belghali (85th minute) secured the win for the Algerian side.
The priorities differed for the two managers, Hervé Renard of Saudi Arabia and Vladimir Petković of Algeria. Saudi Arabia used the match as their final friendly ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying draw on December 5th and the Arab Cup tournament.
Algeria, meanwhile, is using this period to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco (December 21st to January 18th, 2026), where they will face Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan in Group Five. They are also aiming to improve their FIFA ranking before the World Cup draw.
Saudi Arabia will compete in the Arab Cup, hosted in Doha from December 1st to 18th, in Group Two alongside Morocco, and the winners of matches between Oman and Somalia, and Yemen and Comoros.
Saudi Arabia captain Salem Al-Dossari reached a milestone, earning his 100th international cap. He has scored 24 goals in 100 appearances since his debut on February 29th, 2012, against Australia in a World Cup qualifying match.
Algeria threatened first through Baghdad Bounjah, whose shot went just wide of the post in the 29th minute. Saudi Arabia responded with a coordinated attack, but Salem Al-Dossari couldn’t capitalize in the 38th minute.
Saudi Arabia missed a golden opportunity when Mohammed Kanoo found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but sent his shot over the bar in the 55th minute. Algeria then earned a penalty, which Mahrez calmly converted to the left of goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi in the 75th minute.
من المباراة. (إكس)
The Saudis had another chance to pull one back, but goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz denied Al-Dossari in the 84th minute.
Algeria extended their lead just a minute later when Anis Haj Moussa fired a powerful shot that was initially saved by Al-Aqidi, but Rafik Belghali was there to slot home the rebound in the 85th minute.
