Curitiba - Arab Today
Algeria’s football team are now in the world’s top 16 after qualifying for the first time in its history to the World Cup knockout stage after snatching the draw against Russia (1-1) Thursday in Curitiba, in the third match of Group H.
The Fennecs who clinched a resounding victory against South Korea (4-2) needed a draw against the Russians to secure their berth in the Round of 16 in their fourth participation in the biggest football tournament.
After that Russia opened the score by Alexander Kokorin (6’), the precious equalizer was hardly fought by competitive Algerian side; Islam Slimani finally managed a winning header (60’).
The dream that a whole country had been waiting since the first participation in 1982 became true in 2014 with a young and gifted team which make history.
In the knockout stage, Algeria will play Germany on Monday (9:00 Algerian time) in Porto Alegre, Brazil. They ranked second place in Group H with four points after a defeat by Belgium (2-1), a win against to South Korea (4-2) and a draw with Russia (1-1).
Belgium, leader of the group H with 9 points, will face the United States Tuesday in Salvador.
Germany have made great performances Group G, finishing first (7 points), after two wins against Portugal (4-0) and the United States (1-0) against a draw against Ghana (2-2).
Source: APS