Algerian jubilation

For the Algeria squad, this has been a tournament of breaking new ground.

First, Algeria won its first World Cup match since 1982 – a 4-2 victory over South Korea, and then on Thursday it qualified for the knockout stages for the first time.

Islam Slimani’s 60th-minute header goal was enough to gain his team a 1-1 draw against Russia at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, and the one competition point it needed to place second in Group H behind Belgium.

Now, Algeria has another 32-year anniversary on its radar.

On Monday, the Algerians will meet Germany in the round of 16 in Porto Alegre.

The teams haven’t met since 1982 when Algeria beat West Germany, one of the tournament favorites, with Lakhdar Belloumi memorably stroking home the winner. Though it went on to win another game in that tournament, Algeria failed to qualify for the second round of the World Cup after West Germany and Austria played out a result that suited both of those teams.

The European teams, meeting a day after Algeria had won its last group game, knew that a 1-0 win for West Germany would put both through to the second round at Algeria’s expense.

Qualification for the second round in Brazil finally allows the team from north Africa to move on from one of the World Cup’s most contentious episodes.

And the relief was certainly evident in the celebrations on the pitch.

“I’m very proud of what we achieved tonight,” Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic said. “I think Algeria played a heroic match and our qualification is perfectly deserved.”

Algeria had to come from behind to get through. Russia, needing a win to advance, went on the attack from the start and dominated the first half with its intricate and swift passing movements through midfield. The Russians took the lead in the 6th minute when Alexander Kokorin powerfully headed in a left-foot cross from Dmitry Kombarov.

Slimani’s equalizer came after Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev failed to catch a swinging left-foot free kick from Yacine Brahimi. There were indications on the TV broadcast that a green laser was being shone toward the goalkeeper just before the free kick was taken.

Russia coach Fabio Capello said his goalkeeper was “blinded by the laser beam.”

Belgium 1, South Korea 0: Defender Jan Vertonghen scored from a rebound in the 78th minute to give 10-man Belgium a 1-0 victory over South Korea in Sao Paulo to clinch top spot in Group H.

It was Belgium’s third straight victory of the group stage and set up a meeting with the Unites States in the round of 16.

South Korea was eliminated with the loss at the Arena Corinthians.

Vertonghen was a stand-in captain for injured star Vincent Kompany. He knocked in the winner after South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu had saved a shot from Divock Origi.

Belgium was reduced to 10 men just before the break when Steven Defour was sent off for a two-footed challenge, but South Korea couldn’t capitalize.

Portugal 2, Ghana 1: Cristiano Ronaldo’s first goal of the World Cup earned Portugal a 2-1 win over Ghana at Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, but couldn’t prevent his team being eliminated from the tournament along with the Africans.

Portugal finished level on four points with second-place United States in Group G but with an inferior goal difference. Germany topped the group.

Ronaldo slammed in the winner with his left foot in the 80th minute to break his drought in Brazil and give Portugal its first win.

Ghana captain Asamaoh Gyan’s 57th-minute header canceled out an own goal scored by John Boye in the 31st.