Jordan defeats Saudi Arabia 3-2 in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, igniting the group stage
In a thrilling and competitive all-Arab encounter, the Jordanian Olympic team secured a valuable and well-deserved victory over their Saudi Arabian counterparts, winning 3-2 in the second round of Group A matches at the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship. The match took place this evening at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, in front of a large crowd eagerly anticipating the performance of both the "Green Falcons" and the "Nashama" (Jordanian national team).
Match scenario and goals
The match witnessed dramatic twists and turns, with the Saudi team taking an early lead through Rakan Al-Ghamdi in the 19th minute, giving the impression of home dominance. However, the Jordanian team displayed strong character, with Ahmed Al-Maghrabi leveling the score and then scoring the go-ahead goal for his country in the 38th and 45+1 minutes, ending the first half with the Jordanians in the lead.
In the second half, the Saudi team tried to get back into the game, and Musab Al-Juwair managed to equalize with a penalty kick successfully converted in the 60th minute. Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Mahmoud Deeb snatched a dramatic winning goal for the Jordanian national team in the 73rd minute, securing all three points for his team.
Complex qualification calculations in Group A
This result complicated the qualification calculations in Group A, as Jordan raised its points tally to 3, equaling Saudi Arabia's, whose points remained at the same number. This tie intensifies the competition for the second qualifying spot for the quarterfinals, especially after Vietnam secured its qualification and provisional lead in the group following its 2-1 victory today against Kyrgyzstan.
The importance of the tournament and the regional context
The AFC U-23 Asian Cup holds immense importance for Asian national teams, as it offers more than just the chance to win the continental title. These tournaments are typically the primary gateway for discovering young talents who will bolster the senior national teams in the near future. Matches between Arab teams, particularly between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, are always characterized by high competitiveness and enthusiasm, reflecting the development of football in West Asia.
Upcoming decisive matches
All eyes are now on the third and final round of the group stage, which will be crucial in determining the second team to qualify alongside Vietnam. The Saudi national team faces a tough challenge against group leaders Vietnam in a must-win match for the Green Falcons. Meanwhile, Jordan will play Kyrgyzstan, who have already been eliminated, which might give the Jordanians a slight advantage on paper. However, in football, only effort on the pitch until the final whistle determines the winner.
