The Algerian national team has ended its unlucky streak in World Cup qualifications and finally secured a spot in the upcoming tournament after a 12-year absence.

Algeria achieved an easy 3-0 victory over host Somalia on Thursday in the ninth (penultimate) round of Group 7 in the African qualifiers for the World Cup, which will be held next year in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The match took place at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran, chosen by Somalia to host the game due to the lack of a suitable stadium in their country for international matches of this level.

Mohamed Amine Amoura opened the scoring early for Algeria in the 7th minute, before veteran star Riyad Mahrez scored the second goal in the 19th minute.

Amoura struck again to score Algeria’s third goal and his personal second in the 58th minute.

Algeria, needing a win to secure qualification regardless of other results, raised their points tally to 22, securing first place and thus qualifying for the World Cup for the fifth time in their history.

It is worth noting that the 54 member teams of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) were divided into 9 groups of 6 teams each for the qualifiers. Only the group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, while the best four runners-up enter playoffs to determine the African representative for the intercontinental playoffs.