2026 WCQ: Algeria do a professional job, defeat Botswana away from home

Algeria moved back into top spot in Group G of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying after Friday’s 3-1 victory at Botswana in Francistown.

After an even duel for most of the first half, Les Verts opened the scoring in the 44th minute to deal a devastating blow to the momentum of hosts Botswana. Good work on the right wing from Nice midfielder Hicham Boudaoui led to a floated cross that found the head of Amine Gouiri. Gouiri’s strong header went right at Goitseone Phoko but the Zebras goalkeeper bobbled the ball into his goal.

The hosts struggled to recover after halftime as Algeria continued to show their class in attack. In the 52nd minute, an excellent pass from Gouiri sent Mohamed Amoura in behind the Zebras defense and the Wolfsburg forward cleverly toe poked his finish past Phoko to double the lead.

The match became more and more heated as it went on with Botswana clearly frustrated. The hosts did find a way back into the match when a free kick into the penalty area saw Tebogo Kopelang’s header saved by Algeria goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz before Kopelang finished on the rebound. However, any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished three minutes later by Amoura who got behind the defense again before dribbling around Photo to produce a class finish.

Algeria move back level with Mozambique on twelve points as both teams attempt to pull away from the rest of the field in Group G. Les Fennecs will host Mozambique on Tuesday in a top of the table clash while Botswana remain in Francistown to host minnows Somalia, also on March 25 (Tuesday).

Group G Table