Petkovic Under Pressure After Algeria Stumble in Crucial Qualifier | OneFootball

Missed chances deny Desert Foxes early World Cup 2026 qualification boost

Photo: Équipe d'Algérie de football

The Algerian national team dropped 2 crucial point on Saturday after being held to 0 - 0 draw by Guinea in Group G of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World cup.

Changes from Petkovic

Under fire after shaky 3 - 1 win over Botswana, coach Vladimir Petkovic reshuffled his lineup starting Jaouen Hadjam, Fares Chaibi, Ramiz Zerrouki & Said Benrahma.

Key moments in Casablanca

Playing at the Mohammed V Stadium, Algeria wasted golden opportunities in the first half. The clearest came when Mohamed Amine Amoura went one on one with the Guinean keeper but chose to shoot rather than square to the unmarked Benrahma who faced open goal.

In 2nd half, Guinea sat deep and relied on counters, yet Algeria still carved out chances. Amoura, Amine Gouiri, Chaibi and substitute Hadj Moussa all failed to convert leaving the scoreboard untouched.

The draw leaves Algeria on 19 point at the top, 4 clear of Mozambique and Uganda (15 each). Guinea remain 4th with 11 point, their hopes of qualification fading.

What it means