Algeria progressed beyond the group stage at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history thanks to a 1-1 draw with Russia.
Famously eliminated at the finals in Spain 32 years ago when West Germany and Austria played out a mutually beneficial 1-0 scoreline to send the north African side out, Algeria put the record straight in Curitiba on Thursday.
Coming into the Group H clash, Algeria knew a draw would likely be enough to seal qualification – barring a heavy victory for South Korea over Belgium – whereas Russia required a win to advance.
That result looked to be on the cards when Fabio Capello’s men went in front as early as the sixth minute, Aleksandr Kokorin heading home Dmitri Kombarov’s pinpoint delivery.
Russia looked comfortable with their advantage until the hour mark, when Igor Akinfeev – who made a horrible mistake in conceding during the 1-1 draw with South Korea – failed to make a connection with Yacine Brahimi’s set-piece delivery and Islam Slimani converted from six yards.
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