Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/331448
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 18 JUNE 2014 22 Belgium charge back for 2-1 win over Algeria Belgium show they can be a force to be reckoned with, charging back from a one-goal deficit to grab a 2-1 victory in Group H BELO Horizonte, Brazil (dpa) - It took some time but Belgium finally showed they can be a force to be reckoned with, charging back from a one-goal deficit to grab a 2-1 vic- tory in Group H. Belgium coach Marc Wilmots also showed he has a golden touch with his reserves as both goals were scored by subsitutes. Sofiane Feghouli gave Algeria the lead on a penalty in the 25th minute at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte. But the class and depth of Belgium shined through with Marouane Fel- laini equalising in the 70th minute and Dries Mertens hitting the win- ner with 10 minutes to play. And Belgium made a triumphant return to the World Cup after last losing to Brazil in the round of 16 at the 2002 finals. "It was difficult for us at the be- ginning. It required a lot of pa- tience. But we wanted three points and we got three points," Wilmots said after the game. "It was good to start the tourna- ment with a victory," added the match-winner Martens. Algeria were left empty-handed after a strong showing for about an hour. "It was a good game but it became more difficult for us as it went on," Feghouli said. The Algerians were successful in the early going with their tactics of shutting down shop in the back. Belgium could not find any holes in the Algerian defence and resort- ed to a long distance shot in the 21st minute with Algerian keeper Rais M'Bolhi hitting away Axel Witsel's blast. Algeria waited for their counter attack chances and grabbed the lead four minutes later - albeit from the spot. Belgium defender Jan Vertong- hen yanked down Feghouli in the box after a fine ball from Faouzi Ghoula. In contrast to many of the questionable referee decisions thus far in Brazil, Mexico referee Marco Rodriguez had no problem making the call. The French-born Valencia winger Fedhouli stepped up to the spot himself and slotted past Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois right of centre for the 1-0 lead. Feghouli's goal was Algeria's first at a World Cup since 1986, when Djamel Zidane scored against Northern Ireland in a 1-1 draw. And the Algerian fans were hope- ful for their team's first victory in 32 years at the tournament. Belgium remained determined to crack through the Algerian back line and Nacer Chadli was free brief ly a minute from the break but the Tottenham Hotspur man couldn't beat M'Bolhi. Algeria were the better team after the break but Carl Medjani's head- er after 57 minutes went just inches wide right off a corner. Wilmots made all three substitu- tions within 20 minutes of the re- start and Belgium began to create more chances. Divock Origi had a good oppor- tunity charging forward after the Algerian defence lost a ball but M'Bolhi made a superb save on 68 minutes. But he couldn't keep the Red Dev- ils from equalising with 20 min- utes remaining. Kevin de Bruyne crossed from the left side into the box and Fellaini headed home off the lower half of the crossbar. Belgium showcased their bril- liance on the game-winnner with 10 minutes left as Eden Hazard raced down the left side on a coun- ter attack and coolly passed over to Mertens, who collected the ball and took his time choosing a cor- ner before unleashing a hammer into the near upper right corner to make it 2-1. Saphir Taider (L) of Algeria vies with Eden Hazard of Belgium. Photo EPA/FELIPE TRUEBA