Algerian Radio
The Algerian national football team held Uruguay to a 0-0 draw in a preparatory friendly match played Tuesday evening at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy. The match is part of the build-up for the 2026 World Cup finals, scheduled from June 11 to July 19.
This encounter was the second for the national team during its preparatory camp in Italy, following a resounding 7-0 victory against Guatemala last Friday at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa.
"Les Verts" will play another friendly match on June 3 against the Netherlands at the Rotterdam Stadium (18:45 Algerian time), just days before heading to the United States for the World Cup, where Algeria is placed in Group 10 alongside Argentina, Austria, and Jordan.
"Les Verts" Stand Strong Against Uruguay
Facing one of the world's powerhouse teams, the Algerian squad displayed positive signs 72 days before the 2026 World Cup kick-off. During the first half, the national team started well, imposing control over play without managing to pose a significant threat to the opponent's goal. Against one of South America's strongest sides, Aïssa Mandi and his teammates played with caution.
In the 40th minute, the Algerian goalkeeper Zidane (Luca) shone with a brilliant save to deny Uruguay’s first sharp shot of the match. After the interval, the national team's performance dipped slightly, leaving the initiative to "La Celeste," who controlled the tempo. However, the Algerian defense remained steadfast.
Around the 65th minute, national coach Vladimir Petković made offensive tactical changes, introducing Amoura and Mahrez, followed shortly by Benbouali, Abada, Titraoui, and Zerrouki, though "Les Verts" were unable to find a breakthrough.
Petković surprised observers by adopting a new 3-5-2 tactical formation, relying on a defensive trio in the center: Mandi, Belaïd, and Bensebaïni. Captain Riyad Mahrez started the match on the bench as the coach sought to test a new strategy ahead of upcoming official challenges.
A Tribute to Mujahid Liamine Zeroual
Prior to kick-off, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the late former President of the Republic, the Mujahid Liamine Zeroual, who passed away last Saturday.
As a reminder, for this training camp which concluded today in Italy, the national coach summoned 27 players, including six new names: goalkeepers Kylian Belazoug (Stade Rennais / France) and Fayçal Melvin Mastil (Stade Nyonnais / Switzerland), defender Achraf Abada (USM Alger), midfielder Adil Aouchiche (Schalke 04 / Germany), and forwards Ahmed Nadir Benbouali (Győr / Hungary) and Farès Ghedjemis (Frosinone / Italy).
Algeria secured its qualification for the 2026 World Cup after topping Group G in the qualifiers with 25 points, marking its return to the global stage after missing the 2018 and 2022 editions. Its last participation dates back to 2014 in Brazil, where the team reached the Round of 16 before being eliminated by Germany (2-1 after extra time).
