Algeria Tightens Its Grip on Group G With Clinical 3-0 Win Over Somalia as Amoura Steals the Spotlight

It was a statement of intent as much as a display of dominance. On a balmy evening at Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Group G’s frontrunner Algeria left little to chance, dispatching a struggling Somalia 3-0 in their World Cup qualification campaign—a scoreline that underscored the yawning gap between the group’s top and bottom sides and left little doubt about each team’s trajectory as the race enters its final stretch.

From the opening whistle, Algeria imposed itself—urgent, assured, and supremely efficient. Mohamed El Amine Amoura, the rapid forward already enjoying a breakout qualifying cycle, wasted no time in stamping his authority on proceedings. With just six minutes on the clock, Amoura latched onto a precise through-ball, evaded Somalia’s defensive line and coolly finished to give Algeria the lead—his fifth goal in the campaign, and a signal that the visitors would suffer another long evening.

The unremitting pressure continued. Riyad Mahrez, Algeria’s talisman and captain, doubled the advantage in the 19th minute with an elegant left-footed strike that froze Somalia’s keeper and sent the home crowd into rapture. The goal followed a period of sustained Algerian possession and crisp passing, highlighting both Mahrez’s composure and Somalia’s defensive vulnerabilities.

For Somalia, the narrative was familiar and increasingly dispiriting. Coming off back-to-back losses to Uganda (0-2) and Guinea (0-3) in September, the Ocean Stars were again unable to find rhythm or resilience. The midfield was overrun for much of the contest; the attacking line, led by Handwalla Bwana and Ali Musse, seldom threatened and failed to register a serious shot on target. A brief spell of hope emerged midway through the first half as Somalia sought to capitalize on a rare Algerian lapse, but the final ball was always lacking.

Midway through the second half, Algeria’s control became total. Amoura, irrepressible and relentless, carved open Somalia’s tiring back line in the 57th minute for his second and Algeria’s third, putting the tie—and Somalia’s faint hopes—beyond reach. It was a goal of both individual brilliance and collective coordination: a deft one-two at the edge of the area followed by a low drive that found the far corner.

There were few moments of controversy, save for a yellow card to Somalia’s Ali Omar for a bad foul in the 21st minute—a symptom of the host’s mounting frustration and inability to stem Algeria’s surges.

The contest’s outcome has clear implications for the standings. With this victory, Algeria consolidates its position atop Group G with 19 points after eight matches (six wins, one draw, one loss), a healthy +12 goal difference, and all signs pointing toward qualification. Uganda and Mozambique remain in pursuit but trail by four points, and each dropped point now looms large as the group reaches its climax.

For Somalia, the loss is another chapter in a qualifying cycle marked by disappointment—eight matches, seven defeats, a solitary point, and a -13 goal difference underscoring the scale of the task ahead. With morale low and only a handful of fixtures left, their campaign now turns to salvaging pride and laying foundations for the future.

Head-to-head, the gap between these teams has been historic as much as recent. Algeria has rarely faltered against Somalia, and tonight’s encounter—a clinical display rather than a contest—further extended that streak.

As the teams look ahead, Algeria has the luxury of momentum and tactical flexibility, with Amoura’s emergence as a lethal finisher offering coach Djamel Belmadi fresh dimensions. Their next fixture presents an opportunity to seal qualification and sharpen preparations for the finals.

Somalia, meanwhile, will return to the drawing board yet again. The remaining matches offer a chance for redemption, if not revival, and a much-needed opportunity to blood new talents and restore some measure of resilience. The journey to the World Cup may be out of reach, but the lessons of this campaign ought to shape the squad’s direction long after tonight’s loss fades into memory.

Tonight at Miloud Hadefi, the gulf between the beginning and end of the journey was rarely more visible—or more instructive. Algeria marches on; Somalia regroups and seeks new answers.