Algeria Stuns Netherlands 1-0 in World Cup Warm-Up

Algeria achieved a notable upset by defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in a friendly match on Wednesday, serving as a warm-up for both teams ahead of the World Cup.

The decisive goal came in the 86th minute from Algerian winger Anis Hadj Moussa, who plays his club football in the Netherlands for Feyenoord. Hadj Moussa cut inside from the right wing and fired a powerful shot into the far corner, securing a morale-boosting victory for the North Africans at De Kuip stadium.

Algeria's performance, particularly in the second half, earned them the win, supported by a vocal contingent of travelling fans. This was Hadj Moussa's first international goal and it spoiled the Dutch team's farewell match before their departure for New York.

Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the team's shortcomings. "This is not what you want in your farewell match," he told Dutch NOS television. "If you look at the game, we should have been at least 2-0 up. Hopefully, our sharpness will return quickly and we'll finish our chances properly from now on. It's positive that most of the players got some playing time, but of course we don't play to lose."

Algeria's goalkeeper, Luca Zidane, who wore a mask due to facial injuries, made several key saves. The Dutch team will play Uzbekistan next before beginning their World Cup campaign against Japan on June 14. Algeria faces World Cup holders Argentina in their opening match on June 16.

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This is not what you want in your farewell match. If you look at the game, we should have been at least 2–0 up. Hopefully, our sharpness will return quickly and we'll finish our chances properly from now on. It's positive that most of the players got some playing time, but of course we don't play to lose.