The Netherlands arrived in Rotterdam expecting a tidy send-off for their US training camp, yet Algeria left De Kuip celebrating a 1-0 victory. Anis Hadj Moussa, a Feyenoord-based forward, cut in from the right and fired a powerful shot into the far corner four minutes from time to score his first international goal on 3 June 2026. Algeria finished the stronger side, backed by a large contingent of travelling supporters, while the Netherlands were left to examine a worrying lack of finishing before the World Cup. The result doubles as a morale boost for Algeria and a prompt to sharpen the Dutch attack ahead of the tournament.

Ronald Koeman picked a 4-3-3 for the Netherlands, but the planned send-off looked strained by the final whistle, while Algeria found their game-clinching moment at Feyenoord Stadium through a player who trains on that very turf.

It took until the 86th minute for the decisive moment to arrive. Anis Hadj Moussa drove in from the right and unleashed a low, powerful effort into the far corner that beat the Dutch goalkeeper and sealed a 1-0 FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up victory on 3 June. The goal was Hadj Moussa's first for his country and it arrived after a closing spell in which Algeria grew steadily into the game.

Algeria's finish carried added theatre because it came on the Feyenoord pitch that Hadj Moussa calls home. The travelling Algerian support roared the visitors on in the late stages as their side defended compactly, then hit with purpose on transitions. Match reports and player ratings after the game identified Hadj Moussa as Algeria's standout performer and gave goalkeeper Luca Zidane one of the highest marks in the visitors' XI.

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Koeman's side set up in a 4-3-3 but a series of tactical changes during the match failed to unlock Algeria's compact shape. Substitutions were made as the Netherlands sought a route through, and one change came shortly before Hadj Moussa's strike, yet Algeria's organisation and intent in the final stages decided the game.

The Dutch created chances across the 90 minutes but failed to convert them. Algeria, by contrast, kept numbers behind the ball and looked dangerous when they broke forward. Luca Zidane, wearing a protective mask after facial injuries suffered in April, made several important saves and helped preserve Algeria's clean sheet. The match officials were led by referee Jakob Semler with VAR operated by Alan Kijas.

For both sides the fixture functioned as final match practice before they travel to the United States for the tournament. The Dutch had hoped for a confidence-boosting display ahead of their training camp, while Algeria will take heart from a disciplined defensive showing and a late attacking finish under pressure.

The tone of the two teams' endings could not have been clearer: the Netherlands, despite possession and openings, lacked a killer touch in the final third; Algeria finished the match with clearer intent and one player found the moment that decided it.

Beyond the tactical reading, the personal subplot added colour. Hadj Moussa celebrated a milestone first international goal on his club ground and Zidane's masked presence and high rating underlined his importance to Algeria's plans. The visitors now head into the World Cup with a tangible morale boost after a narrow but notable victory in Rotterdam.

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The Netherlands travel to New York to face Uzbekistan on Monday before they move to Kansas City and open Group F against Japan in Dallas on June 14. Originally reported by sportstar.thehindu.com.

This article was created with AI assistance.