The last time Algeria had won in a World Cup, Steve Jobs had yet to found Apple, Sony had yet to create the discman, and Germany was still cut in two. This last victory was on June 24, 1982, thirty-two years almost to the day! Since then, the Fennecs played two World Cups (1986 and 2010), ending each with one tie and two defeats. Adding their loss to Belgium last week, that was seven games without a win.
Yet, the first game against Eden Hazard and his teammates was reason to believe for Algerians as they had scored their first goal in five games! Indeed, four years ago in South Africa, Algeria had left South Africa without scoring a single goal (they lost 1-0 against both Slovenia and the US, and tied England 0-0).
Before Sofiane Feghouli’s successful penalty shot last Tuesday, we thus had to go back to June 3, 1986 to find the last Algerian goal in a World Cup, a Djamel Zidane (no relation to French midfielder Zinedine Zidane) free-kick against Northern Ireland.
Facing South Korea today, Algeria took advantage of a woeful Asian defense in the first half to lead 3-0 at the break thanks to goals by Slimani (26’), Halliche (28’) and Djabou (38’). These 12 minutes also mark history, as Algeria also became the fastest African nation to score three goals in a World Cup.
Despite threatening a fight back in the second half, as proven by an early goal by Son Heung-Min (50’), South Korea was simply not good enough tonight. Brahimi added a fourth goal for the Fennecs, who thus entered history of the World Cup becoming the first African nation to score so many in a single game.
With five goals in two games, Algeria is also the African nation who scored the most goals in Brazil. They are fourth only behind the Netherlands, France (8 goals each) and Germany (6 goals).
By defeating South Korea, the Algerians move into the second place of group H behind Belgium. They will play Russia on Thursday to determine who qualifies for the round of 16.
Because Russia tied with South Korea (1-1) last week, Algeria will actually go to Curitiba with an advantage: while the Russians need a victory to qualify, a draw would send the Fennecs to the playoffs for the first time ever. This team is probably not done making its mark!
Written by Roxane Coche.
