Riyad Mahrez led from the front as Algeria became the fourth African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after cruising to a 3-0 win over Somalia.
The former Manchester City and Leicester City winger provided the cross for Mohamed Amoura’s early volley and then drilled in a rising half-volley himself in the 19th minute.
Mahrez, who was captaining his side, toyed with his marker before creating the third for Amoura 12 minutes into the second half, and both men were withdrawn soon after.
Algeria came close to adding to their lead through Youcef Belaili, but the final whistle was greeted by a huge roar from the partisan crowd in Oran.
The Desert Foxes are assured of top spot in Group G with one game to spare and will return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, when they were beaten by eventual champions Germany in the last 16.
What was nominally a home game for Somalia was actually played in the Algerian coastal city because the Ocean Stars do not have a stadium fit for international football in their own country.
Vladimir Petkovic’s men join fellow North African sides Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt at the 2026 finals in North and Central America.
Luca Zidane, son of France legend and 1998 World Cup winner Zinedine, remained on the bench after the goalkeeper switched international allegiance and received his first call-up this month.
The 27-year-old, whose grandparents were born in Algeria, previously represented France at youth level.
“All my family are proud of me and back my choice. My grandfather is happy that I’m in Algeria and that I’ve made this decision,” he said on the eve of the game.
Uganda all but clinched second place in Group G after beating Botswana 1-0 thanks to Jude Ssemugabi’s second-half header from a corner.
The Cranes are three points ahead of Mozambique, who fell to a 2-1 defeat at home against Guinea, and hold a 10-goal advantage over their rivals when it comes goal difference.
Uganda travel to Algeria, while Mozambique are away to Somalia in the final round of games on Monday.
Only the four best second-placed sides across the nine groups will enter African play-offs next month, with the overall winners then advancing to a final inter-continental qualifier.
Battle in Group H as Eq Guinea suspend coach
Elsewhere on Thursday, Liberia kept alive their hopes of a second-placed finish in Group H with a 3-1 home win over Namibia.
The Lone Stars never looked back after Ayouba Kosiah’s penalty and Mamadu Bah’s effort in the opening nine minutes in Paynesville.
Edward Ledlum curled in a brilliant third late on before Namibia pulled one back through David Ndeunyema with three minutes remaining.
Namibia remain second in the group for now on 15 points, with the Liberians just one point behind.
The final round of Group H fixtures see Namibia travel to already-qualified Tunisia on Monday, while their West African rivals visit Equatorial Guinea.
However, the picture is clouded somewhat after Malawi’s game against the Equatoguineans in Lilongwe was called off because of “unforeseen travel complications” affecting the visiting side.
Like Liberia, both those nations could still overhaul Namibia to claim second place, and the Confederation of African Football is yet to make an announcement on whether the game will be rescheduled.
Equatorial Guinea’s football federation later announced on social media that it had suspended coach Juan Micha after he and members of the squad’s senior leadership refused to travel to Malawi.
It added his assistant Casto Nopo will oversee Monday’s game against Liberia in Malabo.
The penultimate round of Africa’s group campaign draws to a close on Friday, with Senegal and Ivory Coast able to book their tickets to the final if results go their way.
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