Algeria Overcome Korea in Thriller, Set Goal Record

Algeria Overcome Korea in Thriller, Set Goal Record

Sunday, June 22, 2014 10:31 pm


Desert Foxes of Algeria put in a vintage attacking display to defeat Korea Republic 4-2 in Porto Alegre and boost their chance of progressing to the World Cup second round from Group H.

Algeria players celebrate a goal [via FIFA.com]

A dominant first half saw Algeria restrict the Koreans to having no shots on or off target and head into the half-time break 3-0 up courtesy of goals from Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche and the impressive Abdelmoumene Djabou.

Djabou had sent in a cross for Sofiane Feghouli who fired just over the Korean goal after two minutes before finding Slimani from a cornerkick in the 10th minute only for the striker to head just wide.

Slimani would squander another opportunity midway through the first half, steering a Aissa Mandi cross wide when hitting the target seemed the likely option.

Algeria’s striker finally broke the deadlock at the third time of asking, getting on the end of a 50-yard pass from Carl Medjani to lob over the onrushing Korean goalkeeper Sung-Ryong Jung.

The Koreans were dispossessed right after the restart and went 2-0 down two minutes later off Halliche’s powerful header from an Algerian cornerkick.

Djabou then made it 3-0 for Algeria in the 38th minute after exchanging passes with Slimani as the Koreans fell apart against the rampant north Africans.

The Asians though pulled one back five minutes into the second half through playmaker Heung-min Son who scored after a long pass bounced off Algeria defender Bougherra to his path.

The goal sparked the Koreans to life, with Park Chu-young having an effort cleared off the line minutes after Son’s goal before Sung-Yueng Ki forced a save off Algeria goalkeeper Rais Mbohli with a 35-yard shot on the hour mark.

Brahimi celebrates Algeria's fourth with teammate [via FIFA.com]

Against the run of play, Algeria restored their three-goal cushion two minutes later through Yasine Brahimi and become the first African nation to score four goals in a World Cup match.

Korea struck back again 10 minutes later through Ja-Cheol Koo but Algeria held on to win 4-2 and go second in Group H behind Belgium that sealed a place in the last 16 with a lone goal win over Russia earlier.


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