Algeria Cruise to 7-0 Win Over Guatemala in Pre-World Cup Friendly

Genoa, Italy – Algeria emphatically prepared for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dominant 7-0 victory over Guatemala in a friendly match played Friday evening at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. A brace from Olympique de Marseille forward Amine Gouiri led the way for the Fennecs, who showcased an impressive attacking display.

The match, while not a high-stakes encounter, provided valuable preparation for Algeria as they gear up for the expanded 48-team World Cup tournament. The convincing win will undoubtedly boost morale within the squad and offer coach Djamel Belmadi a chance to assess his players ahead of tougher challenges to arrive. For Guatemala, the result serves as a stark reminder of the gap in quality as they continue their own development.

Gouiri Shines in Return to Form

Amine Gouiri, returning from a recent injury that kept him out of the Africa Cup of Nations, proved to be a constant threat for the Guatemalan defense. He opened the scoring in the 19th minute, capitalizing on a pair of errors from Guatemala goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro. A poor clearance and subsequent misjudgment allowed Gouiri to slot the ball home, giving Algeria an early lead.

Gouiri continued to be a catalyst for the Algerian attack, earning a penalty in the 30th minute after being fouled. Riyad Mahrez calmly converted the spot-kick, doubling Algeria’s advantage. Gouiri wasn’t finished, adding his second goal of the night in the 60th minute, expertly finished after a clever through ball from Houssem Aouar.

Fennecs’ Attacking Depth on Display

Beyond Gouiri’s impressive performance, Algeria’s attacking depth was on full display. Achref Abada added a stunning goal just before halftime, unleashing a powerful strike into the top corner. Houssem Aouar found the net shortly after the restart, showcasing his technical ability with a well-worked goal from a free-kick routine.

The goals continued to flow in the second half, with substitutes Farès Ghedjemis and Nadir Benbouali also getting on the scoresheet. Ghedjemis scored a well-taken goal in the 76th minute, while Benbouali completed the rout in the 82nd minute, making it 7-0.

Guatemala Struggles to Contain Algerian Attack

Guatemala struggled to contain Algeria’s relentless attacking pressure throughout the match. Despite a few attempts to create opportunities on the counterattack, they were largely unable to trouble the Algerian defense. The Fennecs dominated possession and controlled the tempo of the game, leaving Guatemala with little chance to respond.

The gulf in class was evident, and the result highlights the challenges Guatemala faces as they strive to improve their international standing. The team will need to focus on strengthening their defensive organization and developing a more potent attacking threat if they are to compete with higher-ranked nations.

Looking Ahead: Algeria Faces Uruguay

Algeria will now turn their attention to a more challenging friendly against Uruguay on Tuesday. This match will provide a sterner test for Djamel Belmadi’s side and offer a valuable opportunity to assess their readiness for the World Cup. The game against Uruguay is expected to be a much closer contest, with both teams boasting talented squads.

The match against Uruguay will be played at the same venue, Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa. Fans can expect a more tactical battle and a higher level of intensity as both teams look to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming World Cup.

Meanwhile, Luca Zidane was not included in the squad for these friendlies, as reported by Sports.fr.

Key Stats

• Algeria 7 – 0 Guatemala
• Goals: Gouiri (19’, 60’), Mahrez (31’ pen), Abada (45+1’), Aouar (47’), Ghedjemis (76’), Benbouali (82’)

This dominant performance will give Algeria a significant confidence boost as they continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The team’s attacking prowess was on full display, and they will look to carry this momentum into their next match against Uruguay.

What did you think of Algeria’s performance? Let us know in the comments below!