The Fennecs pulled off a statement win. On Wednesday 3 June 2026 in Rotterdam, Algeria beat the Netherlands (0-1), ending the Dutch side’s eleven-match unbeaten run. A moment of magic from Anis Hadj-Moussa and an outstanding Luca Zidane made the difference, just eight days before Algeria’s World Cup 2026 opener.
Few backed the Fennecs in the Rotterdam rain. Inside Feyenoord’s home, the Netherlands — seventh in the FIFA rankings and unbeaten in eleven matches — set the tempo from the off. Algeria spent long spells under pressure, rescued by a decisive Luca Zidane: the goalkeeper produced top-class saves to deny Justin Kluivert (61′) and Memphis Depay (83′). The Oranje poured forward in waves, but the Algerian wall held firm. And it is often on nights like these — suffering without breaking — that upsets are built.
The reward arrived in the 86th minute, from Algeria’s second and final shot on target. Anis Hadj-Moussa curled in a stunner to silence the stadium and settle the contest (0-1). Beyond the symbolism of beating a top-ten nation, the win carries real weight: it comes eight days before the 2026 World Cup, where Algeria — ranked 29th — face a fearsome Group J alongside Argentina, Austria and Jordan. The Greens kick off on 17 June in Kansas City against world champions Argentina. Priceless confidence to bank. The challenge now is to back it up: a friendly upset only matters if it becomes a springboard.