Algeria breathed new life into their FIFA World Cup campaign on Monday after coming from behind to defeat Jordan 2-1 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, a result that eliminated their fellow Arab opponents and kept the Desert Foxes firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stage.

Still hurting from their opening 3-0 defeat to defending champions Argentina, Algeria showed resilience and determination to overturn a first-half deficit with two second-half goals and claim their first points of the tournament.

Jordan stunned the North Africans when Nizar Al-Rashdan capitalised on a defensive lapse to put his side ahead before the interval, leaving Algeria facing the prospect of an early exit from the competition.

But Vladimir Petkovic’s men responded strongly after the break, dominating proceedings and eventually finding the goals needed to secure a crucial victory.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Petkovic praised his team’s response and insisted the result was a fair reflection of their performance.

“I think ultimately we’ve produced two good performances. We deserve to win this game, and it certainly gives us a lot of confidence and belief ahead of our next match,” the Algeria coach said.

Petkovic admitted his side had paid the price for a defensive mistake in the opening half but commended Jordan for the challenge they posed.

“Jordan are a solid, combative side and deserved their place at the World Cup,” he added.

The victory leaves Algeria level on three points with Austria in Group J, three points behind leaders Argentina, who have already secured qualification for the Round of 32.

With one group match remaining, the Desert Foxes have put themselves back in the race for a knockout berth and now have the opportunity to determine their own destiny.

“What mattered for us was to win this match, to stay in the hunt, to make it through to the knockout stage, and ultimately to have our fate in our own hands,” Petkovic said.

“Nothing has yet been decided, but we’re in a good position.”

The win has restored confidence within the Algerian camp and sets up a decisive final group encounter as the North Africans seek to extend their stay at the World Cup.

BY KUNLE SOLAJA, METLIFE STADIUM, NEW JERSEY

Norway’s players sat on the pitch and performed the “rowing” celebration made iconic by their fans during the World Cup after reaching the knockout stage with a nervy 3-2 win over Senegal.

The ‘Viking Row’ sees fans sit in a longboat formation shoulder-to-shoulder, uniformly rowing to the beat of a drum, which gradually increases in tempo.

At their first finals since 1998, red-clad Norwegian fans have been doing their Viking row in stadiums, on escalators and even in New York’s Times Square, but it has never been more emotional or joyous than after the final whistle on Monday.

Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland, whose double helped secure the win, brought the squad together to ⁠perform the row in front of the fans, but they had to wait for coach Stale Solbakken, who sprinted up the steps in the stand at the final whistle to kiss and hug his wife.

With the squad sitting in rows resembling those of a Viking longboat and Solbakken squeezing into the middle behind Haaland, Odegaard began beating the drum to a joyous climax.

Norway’s players celebrate their dramatic 3-2 victory over Senegal by performing the now-famous “Viking Row” on the pitch. Led by captain Martin Ødegaard on the drum and inspired by Erling Haaland’s match-winning brace, the jubilant Norwegians recreated the fan-inspired ritual after securing a place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 1998

TV pictures showed fans back in Trondheim joining in as the celebration brought Norway supporters around the world together, but midfielder Patrick Berg revealed that he did not think the row was going to catch on.

“At the start, I think people doubted a little bit – like, is this something that’s going to last or ⁠just something that’s going to die off? But it’s been a massive part of our World Cup so far,” he told reporters.

“Doing it in New York is a really beautiful moment for us together. They started doing it back home in Oslo before we left for the World Cup, and now I think the whole world is aware of it … I feel ⁠the energy that we create together with (the fans) is really important for us.”

“It was incredibly fun,” forward Alexander Sorloth said, beaming with pride after the game. “A lot more fun than I would have thought. When you hear the sound, it’s magical.”

Asked how far ⁠he and the Viking rowing might take him and his team at the World Cup, Sorloth was confident.

“We’ll see, but if we reach our top level, it’s a tournament and everything can happen, but if we reach ⁠our top level, we can go far,” he said.

Norway are second in the group with six points, behind France on goal difference, with the two teams meeting in their final Group I game on Friday.

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Croatia captain Luka Modrić is set to add another chapter to his remarkable FIFA World Cup story, having featured in each of his country’s last 20 matches at the global football showpiece.

The extraordinary run dates back to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. After missing Croatia’s opening match against Brazil, Modrić has not missed a single World Cup game for his country, becoming one of the tournament’s most enduring figures.

Luka Modrić in Croatia colours at the start of his FIFA World Cup journey in 2006 (left) and ahead of the 2026 tournament. The veteran midfielder has featured in each of Croatia’s last 20 World Cup matches, underlining an extraordinary two-decade presence on football’s biggest stage. Photo composite: Getty Images.

Over the course of those 20 matches, the midfield maestro has guided Croatia through some of the most memorable moments in the nation’s football history, including a runners-up finish at Russia 2018 and a third-place finish at Qatar 2022.

The streak underlines Modrić’s exceptional longevity and consistency at the highest level. Now 40 years old, the Real Madrid legend remains a pivotal figure for the Vatreni, continuing to dictate play with the same intelligence and composure that have defined his career.

His uninterrupted World Cup appearance record spans five tournaments — Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022 and the ongoing 2026 edition — making him one of the most experienced players ever to grace the competition.

As Croatia continue their campaign in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Modrić’s appearance streak stands as a testament to his durability, professionalism and enduring class.

Fact File

• Consecutive Croatia World Cup matches played by Luka Modrić: 20
• The streak began after Croatia’s opening match against Brazil at the 2006.
• Participated in six FIFA World Cup tournaments.
• Captained Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final.
• Helped Croatia finish third at Qatar 2022.
• Set to make his 200th international appearance for Croatia during the 2026 World Cup.
• Widely regarded as Croatia’s most decorated footballer and one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

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