Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Underdog Algeria makes history

Algerian squad members celebrate after tying Russia 1-1 during a World Cup match at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba, Brazil, on June 26. Algerian squad members celebrate after tying Russia 1-1 during a World Cup match at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba, Brazil, on June 26.
South Korea midfielder Son Heung-Min, center, reacts after losing to Belgium during a World Cup match at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Belgium won 1-0.South Korea midfielder Son Heung-Min, center, reacts after losing to Belgium during a World Cup match at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Belgium won 1-0.
Belgium defender and captain Jan Vertonghen celebrates after scoring. Belgium defender and captain Jan Vertonghen celebrates after scoring.
Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen, right, scoresBelgium defender Jan Vertonghen, right, scores
Algeria fans celebrate their team's first goal.Algeria fans celebrate their team's first goal.
Islam Slimani of Algeria, left, celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Essaid Belkalem.Islam Slimani of Algeria, left, celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Essaid Belkalem.
Algeria forward Islam Slimani, right, scores his team's first goal past Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.Algeria forward Islam Slimani, right, scores his team's first goal past Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
Algeria's goalkeeper Rais M'bohli dives for the ball.Algeria's goalkeeper Rais M'bohli dives for the ball.
South Korea midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, second right, heads the ball.South Korea midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, second right, heads the ball.
Aleksandr Kerzhakov of Russia and Carl Medjani of Algeria compete for the ball.Aleksandr Kerzhakov of Russia and Carl Medjani of Algeria compete for the ball.
Igor Akinfeev of Russia makes a save against Algeria.Igor Akinfeev of Russia makes a save against Algeria.
Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria receives a treatment.Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria receives a treatment.
South Korea defender Kim Young-Gwon and Anthony Vanden Borre of Belgium collide during the match between South Korea and Belgium on June 26 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. South Korea defender Kim Young-Gwon and Anthony Vanden Borre of Belgium collide during the match between South Korea and Belgium on June 26 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Islam Slimani of Algeria and Denis Glushakov of Russia compete for the ball.Islam Slimani of Algeria and Denis Glushakov of Russia compete for the ball.
Young-Gwon, left, vies with Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini. Young-Gwon, left, vies with Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
Kokorin celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Oleg Shatov on his back in a match against Algeria. Kokorin celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Oleg Shatov on his back in a match against Algeria.
Nicolas Lombaerts of Belgium challenges Kim Shin-Wook of South Korea.Nicolas Lombaerts of Belgium challenges Kim Shin-Wook of South Korea.
A Belgian fan reacts before a match between South Korea and Belgium.A Belgian fan reacts before a match between South Korea and Belgium.
South Korea fans cheer.South Korea fans cheer.
Algeria fans cheer before the match between Algeria and Russia.Algeria fans cheer before the match between Algeria and Russia.
Russian supporters kiss ahead of the match between Algeria and Russia.Russian supporters kiss ahead of the match between Algeria and Russia.
Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann of the United States acknowledges the fans after his team's 1-0 loss to Germany in Recife, Brazil. Despite the loss, the U.S. team advances to the round of 16 in the 2014 World Cup.Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann of the United States acknowledges the fans after his team's 1-0 loss to Germany in Recife, Brazil. Despite the loss, the U.S. team advances to the round of 16 in the 2014 World Cup.
Portugal forward and captain Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after the match between Portugal and Ghana in Brasilia on June 26. Portugal won 2-1. Portugal forward and captain Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after the match between Portugal and Ghana in Brasilia on June 26. Portugal won 2-1.
U.S. fans Jon Gonzalez, center and Angie Plummer, front, have mixed reactions throughout the U.S. vs. Germany match at Zeppelin Hall Restaurant and Biergarten in Jersey City, New Jersey.U.S. fans Jon Gonzalez, center and Angie Plummer, front, have mixed reactions throughout the U.S. vs. Germany match at Zeppelin Hall Restaurant and Biergarten in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo, left, strikes the ball to score a goal against Ghana.Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo, left, strikes the ball to score a goal against Ghana.
Jermaine Jones, front, of the United States and teammate Alejandro Bedoya lie on the field after colliding during a match against Germany.Jermaine Jones, front, of the United States and teammate Alejandro Bedoya lie on the field after colliding during a match against Germany.
Ghana forward and captain Asamoah Gyan, left, scores past Portugal's goalkeeper Beto during the match between Portugal and Ghana.Ghana forward and captain Asamoah Gyan, left, scores past Portugal's goalkeeper Beto during the match between Portugal and Ghana.
Portugal defender Pepe reacts during a match against Ghana.Portugal defender Pepe reacts during a match against Ghana.
Thomas Mueller leaps in celebration after scoring what would be the only goal in Germany's victory over the United States.Thomas Mueller leaps in celebration after scoring what would be the only goal in Germany's victory over the United States.
Two young fans of Germany watch the match against the United States.Two young fans of Germany watch the match against the United States.
Gyan, left, Portugal midfielder William Carvalho, Ghana defender John Boye and Pepe vie for the ball during the match between Portugal and Ghana.Gyan, left, Portugal midfielder William Carvalho, Ghana defender John Boye and Pepe vie for the ball during the match between Portugal and Ghana.
Eder, left, Ronaldo and William Carvalho of Portugal walk in the tunnel during halftime of the match between Portugal and Ghana.Eder, left, Ronaldo and William Carvalho of Portugal walk in the tunnel during halftime of the match between Portugal and Ghana.
Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil vies for the ball during the match between U.S. and Germany.Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil vies for the ball during the match between U.S. and Germany.
Jermaine Jones of the United States reacts early in the match against Germany.Jermaine Jones of the United States reacts early in the match against Germany.
Jonathan Mensah of Ghana and Eder of Portugal go up for the ball.Jonathan Mensah of Ghana and Eder of Portugal go up for the ball.
Germany head coach Joachim Loew gestures during the game against the United States. Germany head coach Joachim Loew gestures during the game against the United States.
Ghana defender John Boye, center, reacts after making an own goal against Portugal.Ghana defender John Boye, center, reacts after making an own goal against Portugal.
John Boye of Ghana gives up an own-goal against Portugal. John Boye of Ghana gives up an own-goal against Portugal.
Jermaine Jones of the United States controls the ball against Mats Hummels of Germany.Jermaine Jones of the United States controls the ball against Mats Hummels of Germany.
Lukas Podolski of Germany is challenged by Kyle Beckerman of the United States.Lukas Podolski of Germany is challenged by Kyle Beckerman of the United States.
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah vie for the ball.Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah vie for the ball.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after a play.Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after a play.
Jermaine Jones of the United States and Benedikt Hoewedes of Germany jump for the ball during their game in Recife.Jermaine Jones of the United States and Benedikt Hoewedes of Germany jump for the ball during their game in Recife.
Lukas Podolski and Benedikt Hoewedes of Germany chase after Fabian Johnson of the United States.Lukas Podolski and Benedikt Hoewedes of Germany chase after Fabian Johnson of the United States.
Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda dives for the ball.Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda dives for the ball.
Portugal's Eder, left, and Ghana's John Boye vie for the ball.Portugal's Eder, left, and Ghana's John Boye vie for the ball.
Portugal's Joao Moutinho and Ghana's Emmanuel Agyemang Badu fight for the ball.Portugal's Joao Moutinho and Ghana's Emmanuel Agyemang Badu fight for the ball.
Eder of Portugal and Jonathan Mensah of Ghana jump for the ball.Eder of Portugal and Jonathan Mensah of Ghana jump for the ball.
Andre Ayew of Ghana tackles Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.Andre Ayew of Ghana tackles Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.
Germany head coach Joachim Loew checks the pitch condition before the game against the United States. Germany head coach Joachim Loew checks the pitch condition before the game against the United States.
U.S. fans cheer before the game at Dupont Circle in Washington.U.S. fans cheer before the game at Dupont Circle in Washington.
Portugal fans cheer before their team's game against Ghana.Portugal fans cheer before their team's game against Ghana.
Ghana fans gather before the game against Portugal.<a href='http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/25/football/gallery/world-cup-0625/index.html'> See the best World Cup photos from June 25.</a>Ghana fans gather before the game against Portugal. See the best World Cup photos from June 25.
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  • Belgium set up last 16 date with the U.S. at 2014 World Cup in Brazil
  • A solitary goal by Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen seals 1-0 win over South Korea
  • Algeria reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history
  • A late equalizer for Slimani sees Algeria advance as the expense of Russia

Editor's note: How are you celebrating the World Cup? Join the global conversation on CNN Facebook Pulse

(CNN) -- Belgium set a date with the U.S. in the last 16 of the World Cup as the curtain fell on the gripping group stages in Brazil, while Algeria celebrated a historic first.

Thursday's 1-0 victory over South Korea was more than enough for the unbeaten Belgians to advance from Group H as winners, despite having a man sent off.

As their red and yellow clad fans celebrated in Sao Paulo, there were similar scenes of jubilation in Curitiba.

Algeria made history in Brazil, reaching the knockout stages of the global tournament for the first time at the expense of Russia.

"Les Fennecs" -- the Desert Foxes -- will need all their wiles as they face the might of Germany next.

Germany had consigned the U.S. to a 1-0 defeat in Thursday's earlier matches but Team USA escaped from a grueling Group G -- which also featured Ghana and Portugal -- on goal difference.

Belgium might think themselves lucky to march into the knockout stages with their unbeaten record intact after being forced to play more than half the match with 10 men.

Steven Defour was sent off for a rash studs-up challenge on the cusp of halftime and South Korea sniffed blood, pressing forward after the break.

But if the statistics tell us anything about Belgium, it is never count them out.

Breaking upfield, defender Jan Vertonghen picked up the rebound of Divock Origi's fizzing effort to break the deadlock after 77 minutes.

Belgium's last six World Cup goals have been scored in the last 20 minutes of the match. Team USA better be prepared for a lively finish when the two sides meet next Tuesday in Salvador.

U.S. loses to Germany, but advances
Fans ditch work to watch World Cup game

Algeria had arrived in Sao Paulo buoyant from a 4-2 victory over South Korea -- the North African country's first World Cup win in 32 years.

When Russia took an early lead in the must-win showdown, a fairytale ending for Vahid Halilhodzic's side had seemed a remote possibility.

Aleksandr Kokorin, who is nicknamed "Bieber" because of his youthful similarity to the Canadian pop star, was soon on song.

He rose brilliantly to power home Dmitry Kombarov's cross after just six minutes and from there Russia looked intent on protecting the lead. But Algeria, cheered on by the undiminished enthusiasm of their fans, were not done yet.

When a free-kick was swung into the box, the Russian defense rocked and Islam Slimani headed into an open goal with 60 minutes on the clock -- his second goal in as many games.

The draw was enough for Algeria to join Nigeria as the second African side in the last 16.

Meanwhile, Russia will be hoping to find answers before hosting the next World Cup in 2018.

After failing to qualify for the 2006 and 2010 editions of the global football fiesta, the Russians have now fallen at the first hurdle in 1994, 2002 and 2014.

The remaining 16 nations in the World Cup will enjoy a rest day Friday before the footballing fever gets even hotter on Saturday.

Hosts Brazil face a tricky Chile side for a place in the quarterfinals while Colombia take on Uruguay, now rendered rather toothless by the ban for biting striker Luis Suarez.

The controversial Liverpool player is not the only star name to take an early flight from Brazil.

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, Spain's defending champions and 2006 winners Italy were among the big guns saying adeus from Brazil.

Read: Biter Suarez banned for nine games

Read: Team USA advances despite defeat

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