Futsal AFCON 2026: Algeria Beat Zambia 7-4 in Goal Fest to Reach First-Ever Semifinal
Algeria are going to the Futsal AFCON semifinals for the first time in their history. The Fennecs held their nerve in an absolute goal fest on Friday night, beating Zambia 7-4 at the Salle Ibn Yassine in Rabat to finish second in Group A behind Morocco.
It was the kind of game that had everything. Walid Betterki was the hero for Algeria with a brilliant hat-trick, while Hammad scored twice and Haddad and Ait Hamadouche also got on the scoresheet. Zambia refused to go quietly — Chiwaya struck twice in the space of six seconds and Chileshe added a brace of his own — but Algeria always had just enough in the tank.
From First Point to First Win in Three Days
What a turnaround it has been for Nordine Benamrouche’s side. Three days ago they were celebrating their first-ever point at the tournament after fighting back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Libya. Now they have their first-ever win, and it has carried them into the last four. From zero points in their history to a semifinal place in the space of one week — that is some story.
If you are wondering what futsal is all about after a game like that, you are not alone — eleven goals in forty minutes is quite the introduction.
What It Means: Algeria Face the Group B Winners
The final Group A standings read Morocco on nine points, Algeria on four, Zambia on three, and Libya on one. Algeria now go through as runners-up and will meet the winners of Group B in the semifinal on October 19 — that will be either Egypt or Angola, with the two sides facing off tonight to decide top spot.
For a team that had never even won a game at this tournament before Friday, a semifinal against one of Africa’s giants is uncharted territory. But after scoring seven in a winner-takes-all shootout, Algeria will fear nobody. Understanding futsal positions and how the rotations work will help you appreciate just how they pulled it off — and they will need every bit of that tactical discipline against Egypt or Angola.
