FIFA World Cup 2014 - Belgium v Russia - South Korea v Algeria

Sunday June 22nd

Group H

Late rally sends Belgium through

Belgium 1 Russia 0 (Rio de Jeneiro)
Belgium booked their place in the next round with a late goal against Russia. Kikorin failed to hit the target with a free header just before the break and the match seemed poised to end in a dull goalless draw until Belgium stepped up a gear. Mirallas hit the base of the post from a free kick in the 84th minute and with 2 minutes remaining Hazard got to the byline and pulled the ball back for Divock Origi to fire into the roof of the net and send Belgium through.

Origi fires in the winner for Belgium

Group H

Desert Warriors blow Korea away

Algeria 4 South Korea 2 (Porto Alegre)

Algeria kept their hopes alive with a victory over South Korea thanks to an explosive 10 minutes in the first half. In the 26th minute Islam Slimani got onto a long ball between 2 Koreans and dinked the ball past Jung Sung Ryong and only 2 minutes later Rafik Halliche beat the keeper to the ball from a corner kick to double the lead with a thumping header. In the 37th minute Algeria made it 3 when a Korean defender headed down a long ball to Slimani who teed it up for Abdelmoumen Djabou to side-foot into the corner of the net. South Korea pulled a goal back 5 minutes after the break when a long ball into the box came off the back of Son Heung Min who turned and fired in between the legs of the keeper. Ki Sung Yueng unleased a bullet from 35 yards forcing Mbolhi into a magnificent save in the 60th minute and 2 minutes later Yacine Brahimi exchanged a one-two with Feghouli and slid the ball past the keeper to restore Algeria's 3-goal lead. South Korea reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute when, after a header was won in the box, the ball was tackled as far as Lee Keun ho who fired it across the 6-yard area for Koo Ja Cheol to turn in.

Slimani opens the scoring for Algeria

Group G

Portugal back from the dead

Portugal 2 USA 2 (Manaus)

A last gasp equaliser against the USA rescued Portugal from elimination. The Portuguese took a 5th minute lead when a clearance was sliced into the path of Nani who coolly rifled the ball into the roof of the net from the 6-yard line. Just before the break Nani smacked the post from outside the area and Howard made a brilliant recovery save from Eder's follow up. In the 55th minute Johnson got to the byline and cut the ball back to Bradley whose effort from 6 yards out was heroically cleared off the line by Costa, but the Americans levelled the score in the 64th minute when Jermaine Jones smashed a stunning shot into the corner of the net. With 9 minutes left when a cross from the right was not cleared, the ball fell to Zusi who sent it into the 6-yard area for Clint Dempsey to chest home. Seconds away from the final whistle, with Portugal facing elimination, Ronaldo put in a delicious cross for Silvestre Varela to score with a diving header and keep Portugal's hopes in the competition alive.

Varela goal gives Portugal lifeline

Sunday June 22nd Group H Late rally sends Belgium through Belgium 1 Russia 0 (Rio de Jeneiro) Belgium booked their place in the next round with a late goal against Russia. Kikorin failed to hit the target with a free header just before the break and the match seemed poised to end in a dull goalless draw until Belgium stepped up a gear. Mirallas hit the base of the post from a free kick in the 84th minute and with 2 minutes remaining Hazard got to the byline and pulled the ball back for Divock Origi to fire into the roof of the net and send Belgium through.	Origi fires in the winner for Belgium
Group H Desert Warriors blow Korea away Algeria 4 South Korea 2 (Porto Alegre) Algeria kept their hopes alive with a victory over South Korea thanks to an explosive 10 minutes in the first half. In the 26th minute Islam Slimani got onto a long ball between 2 Koreans and dinked the ball past Jung Sung Ryong and only 2 minutes later Rafik Halliche beat the keeper to the ball from a corner kick to double the lead with a thumping header. In the 37th minute Algeria made it 3 when a Korean defender headed down a long ball to Slimani who teed it up for Abdelmoumen Djabou to side-foot into the corner of the net. South Korea pulled a goal back 5 minutes after the break when a long ball into the box came off the back of Son Heung Min who turned and fired in between the legs of the keeper. Ki Sung Yueng unleased a bullet from 35 yards forcing Mbolhi into a magnificent save in the 60th minute and 2 minutes later Yacine Brahimi exchanged a one-two with Feghouli and slid the ball past the keeper to restore Algeria's 3-goal lead. South Korea reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute when, after a header was won in the box, the ball was tackled as far as Lee Keun ho who fired it across the 6-yard area for Koo Ja Cheol to turn in.	Slimani opens the scoring for Algeria
Group G Portugal back from the dead Portugal 2 USA 2 (Manaus) A last gasp equaliser against the USA rescued Portugal from elimination. The Portuguese took a 5th minute lead when a clearance was sliced into the path of Nani who coolly rifled the ball into the roof of the net from the 6-yard line. Just before the break Nani smacked the post from outside the area and Howard made a brilliant recovery save from Eder's follow up. In the 55th minute Johnson got to the byline and cut the ball back to Bradley whose effort from 6 yards out was heroically cleared off the line by Costa, but the Americans levelled the score in the 64th minute when Jermaine Jones smashed a stunning shot into the corner of the net. With 9 minutes left when a cross from the right was not cleared, the ball fell to Zusi who sent it into the 6-yard area for Clint Dempsey to chest home. Seconds away from the final whistle, with Portugal facing elimination, Ronaldo put in a delicious cross for Silvestre Varela to score with a diving header and keep Portugal's hopes in the competition alive.	Varela goal gives Portugal lifeline