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Algeria vs Slovenia, First Half: Algeria The Better Side
The first real action of the game arrived inside the 2nd minute after Matmour got fouled. Algeria were awarded a free-kick outside the penalty box. Play maker Belhadj had a good attempt on goal but Slovenia’s keeper tipped the ball away. The Europeans were much more effective on the left, but the Algerians were always alert to intercept their flow.
Slovenia frightened Les Fennecs through Birsa's blistering striker from a free-kick at the 20th minute; goalkeeper Chaouchi was up to the challenge. A minute later, Kirm tried his luck with a curling shot but the busy Algerian keeper powerfully punched the ball away. Still goalless.
Radosavljevic picked the first booking of the day after fouling the energetic Belhadj. On 35 minutes, Halliche flashed a header wide from quite a close range. He should have done better. Two minutes later, Belhadj again produced an excellent run on the right hand side, hurdling past two defenders. He was ultimately challenged and thus couldn’t provide a cross.
At the 39th minute, the best player on the field – Belhadj – entertained the crowd once more with a trademark run. This time, his cross found Matmour who volleyed the ball just over the bar. Beautiful, but not perfect.
Slovenia emulated this and almost broke on 42 minutes. Algeria’s goalkeeper once again preserved his goal post. Birsa made a left-footed hard and low shot, but the ball only rolled wide. This was the first half’s last true attempt on goal.
Algeria vs Slovenia, First Half: Algeria Shocked, Slovenia Flying High
The first parts of the second period didn’t offer anything too interesting. Both teams tried to cancel each other out while wingers’ crosses were ineffective. But at a point though, there was some good interchange passes for the Slovenes. They almost broke the deadlock on the hour mark. Quickly later, Novakovic was on the verge of terminating a super move for Slovenia. However, Bougghera executed an intelligent slide tackle to rescue Algeria.
The biggest moment occurred when substitute Ghezzal was harshly sent off after two bookings. Ghezzal appeared to have handled the ball and though it looked like there was no intent, the referee ordered him to leave the field. From the 73rd minute, the Algerians had to play with 10 men only. Five minutes later, Captain Koren broke the deadlock for his country.
In the end, Algeria cruelly lost, leaving Ghana with the chance of being the first African country to win a match at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Algeria are bottom of Group C while Slovenia are on top. England and USA share a place in between the table following their 1-1 draw on Saturday night.
