Algeria beats Netherlands 1-0 in World Cup warm‑up

Algeria secured a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in a World Cup warm-up match in Rotterdam on Wednesday, just days before the 2026 tournament begins in North America. The winning goal came in the 86th minute from Hadj Moussa, who curled a left-footed shot into the top corner of the net.

The result was achieved against the run of play, as the Dutch side largely dominated the match at the Feyenoord Stadium. The Netherlands created numerous chances but were repeatedly denied by Algeria's goalkeeper, Luca Zidane. The 28-year-old, who plays for Granada in Spain's second division, made a string of impressive saves throughout the evening.

Zidane, the son of former France international Zinedine Zidane, is competing for a spot in Algeria's final World Cup squad. The team named four goalkeepers in a provisional list but will only take three to the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19. His performance in this match is seen as a significant boost to his selection chances.

For the Netherlands, the match served as a key preparation fixture ahead of the World Cup. The team, often referred to as the best side never to win the tournament, carries the weight of past near-misses, having...