The Algerian national football team is preparing for upcoming events, including the World Cup finals. In a recent friendly match held at the Luigi Ferraris stadium in Genoa, Italy, Algeria showcased their prowess by defeating the Guatemalan national football team 7-0.
Amine Gouiri opened the scoring for Algeria in the 19th minute, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Riyad Mahrez followed with a penalty goal in the 31st minute, further extending the lead. Just before halftime, Ashraf Abada added a third goal in the second minute of stoppage time.
After the break, Houssem Aouar scored twice, first in the 47th minute and again in the 61st minute, bringing the score to 5-0. Fares Ghejmis then marked his first goal for Algeria in the 76th minute, and Nadhir Ben Bouali capped off the scoring with a seventh goal in the 82nd minute.
This impressive victory comes as Algeria prepares for two upcoming friendlies against Banyana Banyana, scheduled for April 14 and 17. The matches will serve as crucial preparation ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, which has been rescheduled to take place from July 25 to August 16, 2026, featuring an expanded format with 16 teams, up from 12 in previous tournaments.
Desiree Ellis, coach of Banyana Banyana, emphasized the importance of these matches, stating, “To the players that are selected, it’s another opportunity to raise their hands.” She also noted, “The door is not closed to anyone,” indicating that the competition for spots on the team remains open.
As the Algerian national team continues to build momentum, observers are keenly watching how they will perform in the upcoming friendlies and the implications for their strategy heading into the World Cup finals.
