World Cup 2014 Brazil » Group H » Live commentary: Belgium - Algeria 2:1

Fulltime Summary:
After rather painful 70 minutes for Belgium they finally achieve the happy end! The Red Devils were somewhat superior with 65:35% possession and 16:3 shots (10:1 on target), but conceded a penalty at the middle of the first half. Algeria showed a really dedicated defensive effort, not letting their opposition get past them at all for a long time. It was namely Marouane Fellaini's substitution in the 65th minute which caused an improvement in his teams attacks. The giant had several chances inside the box and managed to convert a cross after 70 minutes. Suddenly the game shifted and Marc Wilmots' team applied utmost pressure on the Desert Warriors. Finally it was another sub who scored the winning goal: Mertens finished a counterattack with the 2-1 goal and subconsequently his team played more confidently, maintaining the lead for the remaining time. But still, Belgium has to improve a lot if they want to impress people at this WC!

Of course the Red Devils aren't keen on playing quickly, but rather keep the ball in their possession without taking any risks or just head to the corner flag.

Now the Belgians seem rather confident and are able to relocate play in front of the Algerian penalty area. Algeria obviously wants to attack and score the late equalizer, but it doesn't look like Belgium will let them.

Fellaini's substitution really has an impact! The gigantic midfielder almost converts a cross from the right wing, but his header goes right over the bar.

Algeria react with all out defense now, they probably would also be content with a draw, still gaining one point.

By the way, Belgium's last goal scorer in an international tournament before Fellaini was their current team manager, Marc Wilmots.

Goooal for Belgium, 1:1 by Marouane Fellaini
Finally, Fellaini scores the equalizer! Standing on the left wing, Hazard passes back de Bruyne and the Wolfsburg midfielder has quite some space. He superbly crosses the ball into the box and Fellaini can convert with a header into the higher right corner of the goal!

Origi achieves, what Lukaku couldn't: He has a chance! The striker gets the ball at the border of the box and shoots from about 14 metres! But M'Bolhi is able to clear it for a corner.

Vertonghen has quite some shot power! But he lacks precision, as his attempt to the left side of the goal goes widely off target.

On the other hand, the Belgian supporters are beginning to sough every time the Red Devils have the ball in midfield and hesitate to pick up the pace.

Wilmots seems to have seen enough and takes Lukaku off the pitch. The Chelsea striker who was on loan at Everton had no attempt in this game and only won 15% of his duels. He'll be replaced by the 19 year old Origi.

Right now the Desert Warriors can get the ball into the opposition's half and they even get a corner!

Mertens seems to reanimate the Belgian offensive! He plays a one-two with Dembélé on the right hand side and tries to serve the ball for Lukaku. But M'Bolhi is able to intercept the pass.

What a shame! Soudani dribbles from the right wing onto the center of the field and is able to maintain possession for quite some time. But instead of looking for a straight way into the box he goes backwards and finally loses the ball.

That's really a disappointing first half from Belgium so far. They just can't convert their possession into dangerous chances.

Belgium's second corner of the game comes to nothing, too. So far the red Devil's set pieces aren't very frightening at all.

Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria) is shown a yellow card
Algeria now also have their first booking. Bentaleb is penalised for his careless ellbow challenge against his Tottenham teammate Dembélé.

After Hazard is fouled by Taïder, Belgium have a fre-kick from the left wing. But de Bruyne's cross goes passes all players and just misses the right post.

Goooal for Algeria, 0:1 by Sofiane Féghouli
Feghouli takes the penalty himself and scores! His low shot goes halfway onto right side of the goal and is successful because Courtois jumps onto the other side. This is Algeria's first WC goal since 1986!

Algeria have a penalty! That's really an unnessecary and stupid foul from Vertonghen! The Tottenham player clumsily takes down Feghouli on the right side of the penalty area.

Leicester City winger Mahrez has the first chance for Algeria! The 23-year-old gets a hold of the ball on the left side of the penalty box, but his attempt from about eight metres distance goes widely off target.

So far the game doesn't pick up the pace, but rather developes slowly. Witsel seems to be the key player in midfields since it's mostly him distributing the ball. But still, his team can't create any danger in front of the goal.

Belgium's midfield is making quite a good impression so far, passing the ball quickly and with few touches. Hazard though, who's considered the star of this team, stands out with some bad passes.

Both teams are feeling out their opposition, so far neither of the teams can gain permanent control of the ball.

Let the game begin!

Belgium and Algeria faced each other ni two friendlies in 2002 and 2003. They drawed in their first match (0-0), while Belgium won the second one with 3-1.

One would assume that the Algerians would have a plan to stop playmaker Eden Hazard (FC Chelsea), but their assistant coach Nourredine Kourichi pointed out that Belgium just have too many offensive treats: "If we focus on Eden Hazard, we could have some nasty surprises. We know his qualities but also his weak points, but we can't focus especially on him, there are others, like Lukaku. We don't have a special plan against Hazard. We can mark and stop an opposing player with our own strategy."

Wilmots also responded to the expectations of the media: "The foreign press has on occasions labelled us as such (as outsiders for the title) which is very kind of them but I must remind everyone that while we have come a long way we had a lot of ground to make up. It has been 12 years without nothing (referring to the gap between major finals)."

Though being by now well-known insider tip for this world cup, one could assume that their would be much pressure on the Belgian team. But their team manager, the former Schalke 04 midfielder Wilmots stated otherwise: "Pressure? What pressure? Pressure is for example when a child is seriously ill in hospital. This is football: I see nothing but sheer enjoyment from the players here. In just two years we have come an incredibly long way. Now the players are going to do everything they can so they do not go home with regrets."

Algeria on the other hand finished first in their group of the second qualiying round - losing only once in six games - and were able to beat Burkina Faso in the subsequent third round. After losing 2-3 in the first leg, the Desert Warriors managed to win their home match with 1-0 and proceeded to the main tournament stage because of the away goals they scored in Ouagadougou.

Ther Red Devils came first in their European qualifying group and didn't even lose once (eight wins, two draws). This confident impression in particular and probably having the most talented Belgian squad of all times made Belgium the most cited insider tip for this WC.