Algeria have locked the back door and thrown away the key. Five consecutive international friendlies, five clean sheets, and an expected goals conceded figure that barely registers: 0.23 per match. It is the kind of defensive sequence that builds tournament confidence, even if the opposition has come outside the cauldron of competitive fixtures.
The numbers tell a story of control. To hold five opponents scoreless is one thing; to do so while restricting quality chances to a bare minimum is another. At 0.23 xG conceded per game, Algeria's backline and goalkeeper have operated with a margin for error so tight it barely exists. Teams have tried, but the shots that matter (the ones the data says should go in) have simply not materialised.
What it means
Friendlies do not hand out trophies, but they reveal form and system. Algeria's defensive unit has clearly found rhythm, whether through personnel cohesion, tactical discipline, or both. The challenge now is whether this fortress mentality travels into higher-stakes fixtures, where the pressure ratchets up and opponents arrive with sharper tools.
For now, the evidence is unambiguous. Five matches, zero goals conceded, and barely a quarter of an expected goal allowed per outing. Les Fennecs are not just winning at the back; they are dominating it.