ALBANIA U-21 FALL TO ALGERIA AND EXIT TARANTO 2026 ON GOAL DIFFERENCE

Albania U-21 failed to secure a place in the football semi-finals at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. The Red and Blacks were defeated 2–0 by Algeria in their final Group B match, played at the Giovanni Paolo II Stadium.

After a goalless first half, Algeria found the net twice after the break through Lahlou Akhrib and Houssam Alla Eddine Abdelaziz.

In the group’s other match, Italy defeated Kosovo 3–0 and claimed second place, joining Algeria in the semi-finals.

Albania hold firm in the first half

Alban Bushi’s side reached half-time with the score still 0–0, despite sustained pressure from Algeria.

Goalkeeper Skander Tahri, followed by his replacement Amarildo Dervishaj early in the second half, faced a significant number of attempts from the Algerian attack.

Albania also created several opportunities. Jordi Jaku tested the opposing goalkeeper in the 15th minute, while Hetem Lushaj registered an effort on target toward the end of the first half. However, the Red and Blacks were unable to capitalize on their chances.

Akhrib breaks the deadlock

Albania’s resistance was finally broken in the 58th minute. Mohamed Bouderbala provided the assist for Lahlou Akhrib, who scored Algeria’s opening goal.

Akhrib was one of the most active players on the pitch, recording five shots, four of which were on target.

Albania attempted to respond shortly afterward. Orgito Ruçi first fired wide before later forcing the Algerian goalkeeper into a save.

Abdelaziz seals Algeria’s victory

In the 73rd minute, Houssam Alla Eddine Abdelaziz scored Algeria’s second goal, effectively deciding the contest.

The Algerian midfielder completed the match with one goal from three attempts, while Algeria continued to threaten Albania’s goal until the closing minutes.

The Red and Blacks tried to find a way back into the match but could not alter the scoreline. Ruçi’s late effort was Albania’s most dangerous opportunity after Algeria’s second goal.

Statistics underline Algeria’s superiority

Algeria finished the match with 23 shots, nine of which were on target. Albania registered only four attempts, although three of them tested the Algerian goalkeeper.

Statistic Algeria Albania Total shots 23 4 Shots on target 9 3 Corner kicks 7 9 Offsides 7 2 Fouls committed 9 8 Yellow cards 2 2 Red cards 0 0

Albania earned nine corner kicks—two more than Algeria—but could not turn their set-piece opportunities into a decisive goal.

Albania’s starting line-up

Starting XI: Skander Tahri, Valentin Daja, Antonios Dhama, Aurel Marku (captain), Jordi Jaku, Ersi Bode, Hetem Lushaj, Orgito Ruçi, Rajmond Marinaj, Bjorni Duka and Arlind Leshi.

Substitutes used: Amarildo Dervishaj, Nebi Qokthi, Kristi Bespallov and Renato Halili.

Unused substitutes: Kevi Mejdani, Emiljano Mihana and Oresti Kasmollari.

Head coach: Alban Bushi.

Goals 1–0, 58’ – Lahlou Akhrib, assisted by Mohamed Bouderbala 2–0, 73’ – Houssam Alla Eddine Abdelaziz Yellow cards Albania: Aurel Marku, Jordi Jaku Algeria: Haithem Elkouacheur, Abdelouahab Satta Match officials

Moroccan referee Hicham Temsamani took charge of the match. He was assisted by Aymen Ismail of Tunisia and Zakaria Bouchtaoui of Morocco. Italy’s Alessandro Pio Carpentiere served as the fourth official.

Albania finish the tournament with four points

Albania completed their Group B campaign with four points from three matches:

Italy 1–1 Albania Albania 3–1 Kosovo Algeria 2–0 Albania

The Red and Blacks scored four goals and conceded four. Algeria finished at the top of the group with a perfect record, while Italy took advantage of their 3–0 victory over Kosovo to claim the second semi-final place.

Final Group B standings Pos. National team P W D L Goals GD Fair Play Pts 1 🇩🇿 Algeria 3 3 0 0 7–2 +5 −7 9 2 🇮🇹 Italy 3 1 1 1 5–4 +1 −13 4 3 🇦🇱 Albania 3 1 1 1 4–4 0 −6 4 4 🇽🇰 Kosovo 3 0 0 3 2–8 −6 −6 0

P – Played | W – Won | D – Drawn | L – Lost | GD – Goal difference

Algeria completed the group stage in first place with nine points, while Italy and Albania both collected four points.

The direct encounter between Italy and Albania finished 1–1, but Italy claimed second place because of their superior overall goal difference: +1 compared with Albania’s 0.

As a result, Algeria and Italy advanced to the semi-finals, while Albania ended the tournament in third place in Group B.

Despite the elimination, Albania leave Taranto 2026 with one victory, one draw and one defeat. Their performances against Italy and Kosovo were encouraging, but Algeria’s superiority in the decisive final match brought Albania’s hopes of winning a Mediterranean Games medal to an end.