Curitiba (Brazil), June 27:
Rising star Islam Slimani helped realise million Algerian dreams when the striker gifted the African side its maiden last-16 entry in the World Cup after closing the door on Russia with a 1-1 draw as 10-man Belgium edged past South Korea 1-0 to stay atop Group H.
Trailing 0-1, Slimani’s header in the 60th minute ensured that Algeria put their disappointment of three failed attempts — 1982, 1986 and 2010 — to qualify for the knockouts of the World Cup behind them and create history.
Russian forward Aleksandr Kokorin gave his team the lead with a thumping header in the sixth minute and Algerian goalkeeper Adi Mbolhi could do little to stop the ‘Brazuca’ whizz past him in the right corner.
Algeria though kept testing the Russian defence and a few good strikes also put goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev on high alert.
The game though kept swinging from one side of the goal to another as the first half didn’t see much action as far as goals were concerned.
Come the second half and Russia once again tried to double the lead through Aleksandr Samedov, but the Algeria keeper thwarted the midfielders’ effort.
Soon hell broke loose in the Algerian camp when Slimani, who has three World Cup goals to his credit so far, headed the equaliser much to the joy coach Vahid Halihodzic.
The Russians were looking edgy after two bookings and Algeria soon capitalised on Yacine Brahimi’s free kick as Akinfeev missed the ball completely and Slimani was there to power home a towering header.
In Sao Paulo, group toppers Belgium cannot be accused of 0-0 a scoreline till half-time against a gritty South Korea as the stadium surface hindered the smooth run of play for either side.
Belgium though controlled the pace of the game in the first half and the Taeguk Warriors were only able to break forward on the counter.
But just when the jeers from the impatient crowd were getting louder the referee showed Belgium midfielder Steven Defour the red card to bring some drama to the game.
The F.C Porto player was sent off in the 45th minute after a tough tackle on Kim Shinwook as the No.16 stepped on the strikers shin in reckless fashion.
Coming onto the field with 10 players, a brave Belgium was gifted the winner by skipper Jan Vertonghen in the 78th minute.
South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu did well to save
Divock Origi’s initial shot but he let slip up a rebound and the Belgium midfielder had little problem scoring the lone goal of the match.
Belgium will take on USA in the last 16 encounter while Algeria have booked their German date in the pre-quarterfinals.
It is ironic that Algeria will play Germany in the knockout stage, when in 1982 West Germany were instrumental in pushing the Africans out of the league stages post a 1-0 pre-decided win against Austria.
It was then that FIFA introduced a revised qualification system at subsequent World Cups in which the final two games in each group were played simultaneously. (PTI)
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