The final group gets underway tonight – Belgium one of the dark horses for the competition take on Algeria at Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte. Join The Roar at 2:00am (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
Belgium come into the World Cup with high expectations placed on shoulders, as a golden crop of players have come together. This is their first World Cup appearance since 2002 and they will be expecting to go deep into the tournament.
Algeria were made to work for their place in the 2014 competition, they qualified after the use of the away goals rule in a 3-3 draw. Placed in a group with their opponents tonight Belgium, Russia and South Korea, it will be hard work for the African nation to make the second round.
In a team littered with more stars than the night sky, Belgium will be marshaled by their captain Vincent Kompany, the Manchester City defender leads by example and will look to have a quiet night at the back.
The Algerian squad is made-up of players toiling their trade around the European leagues, so they won’t be overawed by the Belgium players. Their key player will be forward Islam Slimani who scores a goal in one in two games for his national side.
Head to Head: Belgium and Algeria have met twice before in international games with Belgium having the sole victory, the other clash ended in a draw.
Injury News: Both teams have no injury concerns coming into their opening group game.
Fun Fact: Algeria is the only nation at the World Cup this year to have 23 players all playing for different club teams.
So join The Roar at 2:00am for all the thrills, spills and goals from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Steveo I too remember that moment and thought to myself: yes! That's the way it should be. Belgium took a while to get going, but the 3 subs all came up trumps, and Belgium's last 20 minutes or so was pretty good against an opponent who had been quite tight and tidy up to that point. The Belgium bench was unbelievable - most of those players would be walk up starts in three quarters of the teams in the WC I reckon. Whether they are a cohesive enough unit to go far in the tournament is still an open question.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
It took 3/4 of the game for the Red Devils to break down the plucky Algerians who played with belief and strength but just didn't have the quality to take the game. The subs for Belgium made the difference with a couple of very well taken goals. Liked the way the ref waved on play when Algerians played for a free kick. He had a good game.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Next game is a beauty - time for my customary one hour cat nap. Stay strong mes amis - only the committed survive. We moeten alle sterk blijven.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Good call Dragon - entertaining 2nd half!
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
So in the aftermath of this game, some key questions arise here: Did Wilmots get his original team selection wrong? Should he have started Martens or Fellani? I have been @DragonPunk12, if you want to tweet me. I hope you enjoy the rest of your night!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Belgium win - good 2nd half for Belgium, especially that last 25 minutes. Good come back because Algeria were tough to break down, and were pretty good on the ball for most of the game. We were speaking earlier about Belgium's incredible bench. We had the blistering pace of Origi. We had Fellaini's strength in the air - first goal. We had Mertens' set pieces, width, running power - and he scored the winner.
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
Belgium are working down the clock with consummate ease here, working the ball in the corner waiting for the euphoric release of the final whistle. A final throw in for Algeria here, to stir the pot once more.. it came to naught and Hazard uses up the remaining seconds with some dribbling. FULL-TIME BELGIUM 2 (Fellani 70' and Mertens 80') defeat ALGERIA 1 (Feghouli 25')
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
There will be THREE minutes for Algeria to try and work an equaliser otherwise Belgium will open their World Cup account with a victory.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Crazy turnaround. A different Belgium suddenly arrived, and Algeria were so deflated they never threatened afterwards.
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
Fellani has been a nuisance for the Algerian defenders since his thrust into the game. He almost chested down the Origi pass and finished the match but an unfortunate slip allowed the defenders to sweep it away. BELGIUM 2 ALGERIA 1 88'
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Origi with that pace again, but Fellaini stumbled as he bought the ball down at the top of the 6 yard box
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Things falling into place for Belgium now, finding space, winning more of the ball, Algeria now looking less neat and tidy, a 3rd Belgium goal will not surprise free from Mertens, into box, but stayed too low
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
Toby Alderweireld who has been workman-like on the wing for Belgium puts in another cross right onto the nut of Fellani who's effort is tipped up and over. Resulting corner was threatening but cleared.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Will the game open up in the last 10 minutes? Fellaini almost!! another strong header good save from Mbolhi
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Well done Belgium! Up one end the Algerian played for the free, and it was quickly whisked away for a 3 on 3 situation, Mertens was in space slightly to the right and he smashed it past Mbohli - who could have got hands to the ball it has to be said
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
GOAL BELGIUM It was a stunning counter-attack that has broken the hearts of the Algerians. Algeria got dispossessed on halfway and within two passes, it went wide right to Mertens, who slammed it past the helpless keeper. BELGIUM 2 ALGERIA 1
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Goall!!!!!!!!! Mertens!!! the other super sub
Mister Football
Roar Guru
ha ha - very true
Mister Football
Roar Guru
It was a good header from Fellaini - he towers over the Algerian centre-half!!
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
In all that ruckus, Algeria have made their second change. Riyad Mahrez going off for Mehdi Lacen. Set pieces seem to be the order of the day for the Belgians, as another free header is hit over the crossbar. BEL 1 ALG 1