Algeria fall 3–0 to Argentina in World Cup opener

Algeria opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3–0 loss to Argentina, a result that leaves no room for error in the remaining group matches (1). The defeat puts immediate pressure on a side still grappling with uncertainty in goal, where Luca Zidane and backup Oussama Benbout have faced heavy criticism. It was the kind of flat performance fans feared after the group-stage drama against Austria, and with Switzerland waiting in the round of 32, the margin for recovery is thin. Riyad Mahrez and Hadj Moussa will need to produce something special, and fast.