Belgium 2 - Algeria 1

Photo by Paul Gilham

Belgium played Algeria in both teams' Group H opener in Belo Horizonte. The field was very crowded in the middle of the park for the first quarter hour with neither team really looking to attack via the flanks in the early going. The first notable chance of this encounter came off a booming punt from Algeria goalkeeper Rais M'bolhi that landed within thirty yards of the Belgian goal. Riyad Mahrez gathered the ball, held off the only defender with him before crushing a shot wide of the near post. Faouzi Ghoulam sent in cross from the left flank that was allowed to bounce inside the Belgian six-yard box by Belgian centerback Vincent Kompany. The ball bounced toward the path of the run from Sofiane Feghouli, so Belgian left back Jan Vertonghen tugged on Feghouli's arm to prevent the scoring chance. Algeria were awarded a penalty kick and converted it for a shock 1-0 lead. Algeria had gone scoreless during their three games at South Africa 2010. Axel Witsel settled a bouncing ball twenty-six yards from the Algerian goal and then cracked a dipping shot on frame, but M'bolhi was able to push the ball aside off the half-volley mid-dive. Algeria held a 1-0 lead as the teams left the pitch.

There must have been inspiring words spoken in the Belgian locker room, for they came out in the second half with a renewed vigor. Still, it took them half a period to create a dangerous chance. Substitute forward Divock Origi won a loose ball with space to run. He was alone with only the keeper to beat, but M'bolhi made the kick save to preserve the lead for the Fennec Foxes. With only twenty minutes to play, Les Diables Rouges found their long-awaited breakthrough. Kevin de Bruyne picked up a loose ball. No Algerians closed his space, so he picked out a cross to ten yards from goal. Marouane Fellaini got his forehead on the ball and knocked it in off the underside of the crossbar for the equalizer. Belgium sprung the prototypical counteract to steal the match away from Algeria. de Bruyne slide-tackled Feghouli, and the ball rolled out beyond Eden Hazard (pictured, red), who dummied at the ball and then turned to lead a three-on-two fast break. He picked out the uncovered run of Dries Mertens, who then blasted the ball into the net gloriously. Fellaini nearly had his second headed goal off a whipped in cross from the right flank, but M'bolhi was able to fly up to his crossbar and tip the ball over. Algeria could no longer muster anything offensively, so Belgium escapes with a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

Goals
Belgium
Marouane Fellaini 70
Dries Mertens 80

Algeria
Sofiane Feghouli 25 PK

Match Reports:
http://soccer.si.com/planet-futbol/2014/06/17/belgium-algeria-world-cup-commentary-recap-group-h?eref=sihp
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/17/belgium-algeria-world-cup-2014-group-h-match-report

Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186479/index.html