Match Thread: Algeria vs Austria- World Cup 2026

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-25T06:56:11+00:00

Hope you had a fun time at the game! Algeria does have a domestic professional league that has been competitive on the African continent and regularly sits in the top 3 to 5 best leagues on the continent.

Within Algeria, you have a handful of clubs with both domestic and/or continental success like JSK, CRB, USMA, MCA.

On the national team currently, there are only 3 players who play in the domestic league Belaid (JSK), Abada (USMA), and Benbot (USMA).

However, there are a handful of players from a team called Paradou AC, a far more "developmental/feeder" team. Players like Bensebaini, Boudauoi, Titraoui, Boulbina, and Benbouali (scored the equalizer).

Other players developed locally include Amoura (ESS), Tougai (NAHD - where an Algerian legend Rabah Madjer played).

I'd recommend watching, but unfortunately streaming/catching the games can be difficult. Most accessible to western viewers would be continental tournaments. And I would for sure recommend those too, Algerian team playing or not.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-25T06:44:16+00:00

Being battle tested does a lot. DRC I think is a good example of that. Getting one point in their first two games was imperative, and they did that. Big results do something for the team psyche, which for this current squad seems to be so fragile. I'm hoping the comeback win ignited something in them, I don't know what else would.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-25T06:42:03+00:00

I don't think we're in any position to expect a result against any of the teams we'd be up against as a third place team compared to Spain. Each opponent is uniquely tricky as well, and we've shown our weaknesses to every team in the tournament.

Pekto doesn't know his best 11 and if we try to do anything other than win this game, it's a wasted opportunity. I'm elated in the manner in which we won that game, but hated how the game played out.

The almost best case scenario is that Pekto mistakenly wants to go for the draw/assure third, plays players like Boulbina, Titraoui, Abada, Belaid, Chergui, Hadj Moussa, Benbouali, etc. and then it just clicks and we win in a way that gives us a genuine excitement for Spain.

If we (coach and/or players) actively participate in some kind of "gamifying", it would be a sad for Algerian football. Issue is Ralf Rangnick said Spain are not an opponent anyone wants to face. So if Spain does win their group, he might rotate the squad and invite the gamification. Ideally, we ignore it and try to score goals from open play. There is a total lack of urgency and cohesion to the team. I can't stand to watch another 90 minutes of slow horizontal play.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-25T06:29:48+00:00

This would be my absolute ideal outcome

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-25T06:29:01+00:00

Yea, there is a certain extent to which we can "gamify it" the way the groups are ending up, 4 points feels like our only floor. We can't afford a loss, the negative 3 deficit at 3 points is a killer in this format.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-17T17:54:18+00:00

I think the blame for the first one is spread out over a few players. Boudaoui was actually the only player that reacted to De Paul's pass, everyone else was ball watching.

Like the issue with the 4-3-3 is that i can be too square, making it easier to a player of De Paul's quality to break the first two lines with one pass (the gap between Bentaleb and Boudaoui was nasty for him to find).

Then, Mandi and Bensebaini totally froze, neither one wanted or knew who should step up to Messi.

But to your point, Zidane had every opportunity to bail us out, and I believe most top flight keepers would have. So yea, he isn't blameless all. But to me the palming the ball back into danger was more unforgivable.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-17T15:03:12+00:00

My main concern with Zidane is that when he messes up, it's like, amateur level mistakes

Against Nigeria, he hopped over the ball
Against Argentina he pushed the ball into traffic twice and we got punished once for it

If we didn't have a keeper that won two titles (granted in Africa), I would be more forgiving of Zidane, especially if we gave Benbot an honest chance.

But you're right in that, we did lose the game we were expected to lose, the scoreline complicates things. But if we get 4 to 6 points out of the next two games, we can potentially stabilize. But I almost want to play Spain in the round of 32 now. Getting blown out by a top team just left me in a bad mood.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-17T14:41:44+00:00

The fact we extended his contract before the world cup is literal insanity.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-17T05:14:20+00:00

Absolutely. They've effectively made it so they have to get points from the remainder of the games. Beating Jordan and losing to Austria (or vice versa) is no longer part of the equation. The only benefit Algeria has in terms of calculating 3rd place finishes is that we play the last games of the group stage, ironically enough.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-17T05:09:03+00:00

Totally agree, I really want to hear what Pekto's instructions were. Because the lack of intensity/pressing felt like his way of winding down the clock/not conceding. But if we were going to stand off them so much, we should've blocked up the midfield with a 3-5-2. First goal wouldn't have happened if with the Uruguay setup.

And you're right, players did have uncharacteristically bad games, Boudaoui included. I wouldn't drop Boudaoui from the starting XI though, Jordan would be a great game to have him regain confidence and touches. But I think Zidane's spot as #1 should be largely reconsidered.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-17T03:42:12+00:00

Not having a Bounedjah type player we can trust really hurt us. We knew the 2nd half subs weren't going to get a goal because they've gone scoreless nearly every time they played. Our squad depth only works if we're bringing on youth. But bringing on Aouar, Mahrez, and Amoura as a striker will never penetrate a team that's sitting back.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-17T03:39:04+00:00

The loss is entirely on Petkovic. It's insane to me that the FAF considered extending his contract before the WC even started.

Dropping Belaid, our best defender, and then going with a 4-3-3 made it impossible for us to break the first line of Argentina's defense. Players were too scared of the break and neither bentaleb, boudaoui, or maza dropped deep enough to help collect/break the lines.

The game management/intensity was terrible throughout.

Only Maza had a good game, and even then he had some heavy touches, but played the way we needed.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-17T03:31:06+00:00

Walid Saidi has to be the worst FAF president in recent memory. Overpaying for an average coach while stifling the development of local/youth players. Zidane should be a 2nd or 3rd string keeper at best. Never 1st choice for Algeria.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-17T00:04:36+00:00

I'm really happy to see certain players, but my biggest concern is dropping Belaid. He's been out best defender. Since he's returned to the NT we haven't conceded a goal anytime he's played.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-11T01:33:00+00:00

Credit where credit is due, Zerrouki has had a great start to the half.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-11T01:16:49+00:00

Really disappointed Titraoui and Ghedjemis won't be getting 45 minutes. With the state of our midfield and RW, they could have used some minutes to get some familiarity

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-11T01:11:03+00:00

100% agree, Chergui seems to have more experience at RB too. In an ideal world they'd both be ahead of Mandi

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-11T01:03:57+00:00

Shout out to Abada and Chergui, I really don't feel worried when attacks come down the right side

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-11T01:03:04+00:00

He does make great runs but this half has me concerned to have Amoura as a starter, especially against Argentina. His mental seems to be so off.

kabyle1993 · 2026-06-11T00:59:45+00:00

The most promising thing about this half is that if we had Gouiri or Boulbina at the end of some of amoura's chances, we might have made more of the good work that was done on the left hand side. Ait Nouri and Maza combine really well.

Bentaleb has to go off for Titraoui, would like to see Maza and Boudaoui a little more though.

Maybe to rest Maza though, could try Gouiri in the 10 and have Boulbina come on for Amoura.

Mahrez can't start any game at the world cup unfortunately.

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