Algeria came from behind with two second-half goals from corner kicks to defeat Jordan 2-1 on Monday night, boosting their chances of reaching the World Cup knockout stage.

Second-half substitute Nadhir Benbouali equalised in the 69th minute with a header from a Riyad Mahrez corner, before Amine Gouiri struck the winner in the 82nd minute to seal Algeria’s first World Cup victory since 2014.

Jordan had taken a surprise first-half lead through Nizar Al Rashdan, scoring the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal, but could not hold off sustained Algerian pressure after the break.

The win marked the first time Algeria have come from behind to win a World Cup match. Previously, they had seven defeats and two draws in matches where they conceded first.

Algeria recovered from a 3-0 opening defeat to Argentina and can secure second place in Group J and a place in the knockout round with a win against Austria on Saturday.

Jordan, meanwhile, suffered a second consecutive defeat and are out of contention for the knockout stage, having earlier lost 3-1 to Austria, though they impressed in their first World Cup appearance.

Momentum shifted after Benbouali’s equaliser, when Mahrez’s corner found him in the box and he directed a header into the corner beyond goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila.

Algeria continued to press and took the lead when Gouiri touched a ball in the area that deflected off Abulaila and into the net, sparking celebrations from Algerian fans behind the goal at Levi’s Stadium.