Kohili leads Algeria into Mediterranean Games 2026 semi-finals

Algeria booked their place in the semi-finals of the Mediterranean Games 2026 football tournament with a 3-1 victory over hosts Italy in Taranto.

The result was Algeria’s second win in as many matches in Group B, ensuring that Brahim Hemdani’s Under-21 side will progress to the last four before their final group fixture against Albania on Wednesday.

The Algerians had opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Kosovo on Saturday. Ben Ahmed Kohili of MC Alger and Houssem Tarzout of Paradou were on target in that match, and Algeria again found the net three times against the host nation.

Lahlou Akhrib of JS Kabylie gave the visitors the lead after 18 minutes. He capitalised on a misplaced pass in the Italian defence before finishing into the bottom-left corner of Mattia Sonzogni’s goal.

Algeria held their advantage until the second half, but Italy drew level in unfortunate circumstances in the 65th minute. Their captain, Issam Abdelhamid Naim of ES Setif, inadvertently beat his own goalkeeper, Mohammed El Koubi, to restore parity.

The Fennecs responded strongly and regained the lead 14 minutes later. Kohili completed the move in the 79th minute to score his second goal of the tournament, having already found the net in the opening victory against Kosovo.

Mohamed Bouderbala of USM Alger then settled the contest three minutes from time. Introduced as a substitute, he scored Algeria’s third goal in the 87th minute to secure a second successive victory.

Algeria now sit firmly at the top of Group B and will meet Albania on Wednesday with the chance to confirm first place. Should they finish as group winners, they will face the runners-up from Group A in the semi-finals.

Morocco could be among the possible opponents. The Atlas Cubs were beaten 1-0 by Tunisia earlier on Monday, having drawn their opening match 2-2 with Turkey.

That leaves Morocco needing to beat North Macedonia in their final group game to keep their hopes of reaching the next round alive. The defeat by Tunisia followed their opening draw and means they must win on the final matchday if they are to have a chance of progressing.

For Algeria, however, qualification is already secured. Their immediate objective is now to complete the group stage at the summit, after a campaign that has produced six goals across two matches and consecutive victories over Kosovo and the hosts.