Slimani sends Algeria through at Russia's expense

Islam Slimani headed an ecstatic Algeria into the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time with a 1-1 draw against Russia on Thursday that dumped Fabio Capello's team out of the tournament.

>>Reuters
Published : 26 June 2014, 10:27 PM
Updated : 26 June 2014, 11:35 PM

On a momentous night for the North Africans, who were the last team through to the knockout rounds with Belgium already qualified as Group H leaders, Algeria recovered from an early Alexander Kokorin goal to advance.

The point, in a tense match at the Baixada Arena with everything still at stake and 2018 hosts Russia needing a win to go through at Algeria's expense, was all the 'Desert Foxes' needed to make history.

With Belgium finishing on nine points, Algeria, who face Germany for a place in the quarter-finals, ended with four to Russia's two and South Korea's one.

The draw was all they deserved but it came after an early setback, with Kokorin meeting a beautifully-flighted Dmitry Kombarov cross to nod in a perfectly-executed header in the sixth minute.

Algeria, whose Bosnian-born coach Vahid Halilhodzic had called the match the most important in the country's soccer history, rarely threatened in the first half and looked a shadow of the side who thumped four goals past the Koreans.

Russia's Alexander Kokorin (C) heads the ball to score past Algeria's goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi (back), Essaid Belkalem (L) and Rafik Halliche (R) during their 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match at the Baixada arena in Curitiba June 26, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Russia's Alexander Samedov (L) takes a shot at goal that was saved by Algeria's goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi during their 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match at the Baixada arena in Curitiba June 26, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Slimani had an effort tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev in the 30th minute but the linesman had already flagged for offside and Algeria's other tame attempts had Halilhodzic gesticulating furiously from the touchline.

It all changed in the second half, though, with Algeria looking far sharper before the goal and then resisting the pressure.

Slimani seized his chance in the 60th minute with a powerful header at the near post from a Yacine Brahimi free kick that Akinfeev failed to reach.

Capello had made just one change to the side who lost 1-0 to Belgium, handing a first start of the tournament to veteran striker Alexander Kerzhakov in place of Maxim Kanunnikov but the goals failed to flow.

Algeria's Djamel Mesbah (R) fouls Russia's Alexander Kerzhakov during their 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match at the Baixada arena in Curitiba June 26, 2014. Mesbah received a yellow card for the foul. Photo: Reuters

Algeria's Islam Slimani (R) heads the ball to score a goal against Russia during their 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match at the Baixada arena in Curitiba June 26, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Instead, Algeria once again denied the Italian three points after holding Capello's England to a goalless draw in South Africa four years ago.

That time it was England who went through but Thursday belonged to Algeria, their fans praying for the match to end and erupting at the final whistle.