Portugal secured a hard-fought 3:2 victory over Algeria at the Mediterranean Games on Friday, ending a run of poor form that had left them rooted to the bottom of the table. The hosts had not tasted success since June, suffering defeats to Italy and Hungary in their last two outings before this match. Algeria, meanwhile, have yet to register a single point in the competition, losing five consecutive games including three heavy defeats by identical 0:3 scores.
The result shifts the standings slightly, with Portugal moving off the wooden spoon while Algeria remain winless after five games. Both sides sit on two points, though Portugal's solitary victory gives them a psychological edge. The visitors have not won since a 3:2 triumph over Libya in 2023, a result that now feels distant against the backdrop of recent struggles.
Portugal's recent form had been concerning, with only two victories in their last five matches coming against lower-ranked opposition. Their 1:3 loss to Italy on Wednesday suggested their defence remained vulnerable. Algeria's record tells a starker story — five defeats, no goals scored in three of those matches, and a growing sense that their campaign is slipping away.
By then, the scoreline told a different story from either team's recent history. Portugal had not won in six days, while Algeria's goal drought was becoming a pattern rather than an anomaly. The 3:2 result means both sides remain in contention, but the gap between them — one win versus none — is widening.