DPA/Curitiba, Brazil
Algeria advanced to the knock-out stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history yesterday by drawing 1-1 with Russia in Group H.
After Aleksandr Kokorin opened the scoring for Russia in the sixth minute, Islam Slimani struck the decisive equaliser after 60 minutes at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba.
Algeria improved to four points in the group for second place and a date with Germany in the round of 16 while the 2018 World Cup hosts Russia exit the World Cup in third place with two points.
Algeria join Nigeria in the knock-out stage for the first time that two African nations reached the last 16.
Belgium topped Group H with nine points and will take on the US in the last 16 while South Korea bowed out with just one point in last place.
Russia drew 1-1 with South Korea in their Group H opener and then lost 1-0 against Belgium.
Algeria meanwhile came into the game on a high after blasting past South Korea 4-2 to take the driver’s seat for the knock-out stage, after having led but eventually lost to Belgium 2-1 in their opener.
Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic made one change to his line-up with Esseid Belkalem coming on for Madjid Bougherra. His Russian counterpart Fabio Capello started Aleksandr Kerzhakov instead of Maksim Kanunnikov.
Jan Vertonghen led 10-man Belgium to a 1-0 victory over South Korea yesterday that gave them top place in their World Cup group and ended Asian hopes in the competition.
The stand-in captain hit the winner 12 minutes from time as Belgium finished with a perfect three wins in Group H. They now play the US in the last 16. See sport pages for World Cup reports