Genoa, Italy, March 28, 2026 — Algeria delivered a stunning offensive performance in their international friendly against Guatemala, cruising to a 7–0 victory on Friday night at Stadio Luigi Ferraris as part of their preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The match marked Algeria’s first outing since their exit from the Africa Cup of Nations and offered new head coach Vladimir Petković an opportunity to reassess the squad and experiment with tactical configurations.
🏆 Final Score
| Team | Goals | Key Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 7 | Amine Gouiri (19′, 60′), Riyad Mahrez (31′ — pen), Achref Abada (45’+1′), Houssem Aouar (47′), Farès Ghedjemis (76′), Ahmed Benbouali (82′) |
| Guatemala | 0 | — |
| Scoreline from Friday’s friendly. |
⚽ Match Highlights
- Early Momentum: Algeria took charge early, with Amine Gouiri breaking the deadlock before doubling his tally later in the match.
- Mahrez Influence: Riyad Mahrez continued his influential run, scoring from the penalty spot and providing leadership in attack.
- Varied Goal Threats: Contributions across the pitch — including Aouar, Ghedjemis, and Benbouali — highlighted Algeria’s attacking depth.
Algerian supporters online celebrated the comprehensive victory, noting the strong interplay between experienced campaigners and fresh faces as the squad approaches peak form for global competition.
📊 Tactical Takeaways
Petković fielded a balanced lineup that blended attacking flair with tactical discipline. Algeria dominated possession and frequently transitioned quickly from defense into the attacking third, emphasizing width and forward runs.
Guatemala, ranked outside the top echelon of international sides, struggled to assert themselves in the face of relentless Algerian pressure. Their defensive organization collapsed under sustained offense, resulting in a lopsided final scoreline.
🧠 What This Means Ahead of the World Cup
Although friendly results don’t affect official FIFA standings, Algeria’s dominant display sends a strong message about their offensive capabilities and squad cohesion. Head coach Petković will likely take confidence from the tactical fluidity and scoring variety demonstrated.
For Guatemala, despite a challenging evening, valuable experience against a stronger opponent offers lessons ahead of their own future fixtures. Continued exposure to high‑level competition is seen as a positive developmental step for the Central American side.
As Algeria continues its World Cup preparations, this commanding performance will be remembered as a definitive confidence booster and a demonstration of depth across the squad.
