Algeria reaches World Cup's last 16 in historic feat

Algeria claimed a place in the FIFA World Cup's last 16 for the first time after Islam Slimani's goal secured the point they required to finish above Russia in Group H.

While Aleksandr Kokorin gave Russia a perfect start scoring in the sixth minute, Russia had to win to claim second place in Group H.

Nicknamed as Les Fennecs (The Fennec Foxes), Algeria equalised on the hour mark when Russian keeper failed to block a free kick by 26-year-old Slimani.

Algeria-Russia finished at 1-1, while in the other match Belgium defeated South Korea 1-0 with a controversial goal from defender Jan Vertonghen in the 77th minute.

Algeria and Belgium will both proceed to the next round of the World Cup while Russia and South Korea have been eliminated. 

Group H runners-up Algeria will compete against Group G leaders Germany in the second round, while Belgium will meet Group G runners-up USA.

Laser controversy

The next World cup hosts, Russia, left the tournament amid controversy as coach Fabio Capello blamed a laser beam from Algeria for their elimination.

Capello claims that during the goal scored by Slimani, a laser pen directed from the crowd at goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev blinded him.

Television pictures show a green light showing on the goalkeeper’s face. Capello insists, “He was blinded by the laser beam.”

There have been speculations however that Capello’s complaints are a tactic to deflect attention from the fact that Russia’s elimination means that Capello, who has taken charge of seven World Cup games, has won only one – when England beat Slovenia 1-0 four years ago.

Algeria’s Bosnian coach, Vahid Halilhodzic, said, “It is the first I have heard of it; I have not seen the TV pictures, so I have nothing to say.”

While Algeria fans celebrated Algeria's victory, the mood has been dampened by the allegations relating to the laser beam.