Algeria’s World Cup win is celebrated in Lawrence and sets up big game in KC
Saturday’s World Cup group match in Kansas City was viewed as the least appealing because it lacked one of the big-name teams in world soccer.
But following Algeria’s 2-1 win over Jordan on Monday night makes that match at Arrowhead Stadium a big one. Algeria is now tied for second in Group J with Austria behind Argentina, which already clinched first.
The winner of Saturday’s game is guaranteed to advance to the knockout stage, so there’s a lot at stake regardless of the negative talk from the naysayers.
After trailing by a goal at the half, Algeria scored twice in the final 21 minutes in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It was Algeria’s first World Cup win since 2014.
The victory set off a celebration in Lawrence, where Algeria has its base camp. There have been many great stories about the World Cup being in Kansas City, but the love affair between the citizens of Lawrence and the Algerian team has been the best.
Heck, Algeria coach Vladimir Petković said he got goosebumps after seeing Lawrence support his team.
That passion continues and was on display Monday night as fans shared videos of Lawrence celebrating outside the Granada.
