U21 National Team Secures Mediterranean Games Semi-Final Spot

Algeria's U21 national football team has secured its place in the semi-finals of the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. The national team achieved a perfect record in the group stage, accumulating nine points from three victories. This strong performance positions them as a leading contender in the tournament's knockout phase, showcasing the talent and strategic play of the young Algerian squad on an international stage.

The team's journey to the semi-finals included a significant 3-1 victory over Italy. This result was particularly notable as Italy reportedly fielded a much younger squad with an average age of 16.9 years, while Algeria presented a more experienced team. During this match, Lahou Akhrib opened the scoring in the 19th minute, with Kohili regaining the lead and Bouderbala solidifying the win in the 87th minute, demonstrating Algeria's control throughout the match.

Algeria's national team further demonstrated its prowess by defeating Albania with a score of two goals to nil in the third round of Group B matches. Akhrib once again found the net in the 57th minute, followed by Abdelaziz in the 72nd minute, ensuring a clean sheet and another decisive win. These results, coupled with an initial 2-1 victory against Kosovo, underscore the team's dominant performance throughout the group stage of the Mediterranean Games.