World Cup: Belgium beats Algeria 2–1

In the first Group H match of the World Cup in Brazil on Tuesday evening, Belgium managed to fight back from a 0-1 lead by Algeria at half-time to a 2-1 victory. After a lacklustre first half, which saw Algeria score a penalty, the Red Devils’ game picked up when substitutes Dries Mertens, Divock Origi and Marouane Fellaini came onto the pitch.

Twenty-three minutes into the game, Jan Vertonghen pulled down Algeria’s Sofiane Feghouli with his arm. Feghouli exacted his revenge by scoring for Algeria from the penalty spot.

Algeria played a surprisingly strong defensive game throughout and it was only when Mertens came on at the start of the second half that Belgium went on the attack successfully.

With half an hour left to go, Red Devils manager Marc Wilmots replaced Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembélé with Fellaini, who sent a header into Rais M’Bolhi’s net just five minutes later. Strong teamwork between Chelsea player Eden Hazard and Mertens resulted in Mertens smashing in Belgium’s winning goal 10 minutes later.