Algeria wallops South Korea, 4-2, to stay alive in World Cup group
Algeria must have been hoarding goals all along. The team that began the tournament without a World Cup score in 481 minutes managed one in its opener, then unloaded Sunday on South Korea with a four-pack.
The 4-2 romp put Algeria (1-1) in position to play beyond the group stage for the first time. Next on the Algiers’ agenda is Russia.
A revamped lineup with five changes paid off, with all but one goal claimed by newcomers.
Three scores were crammed within a 12-minute window of the first period. Islam Slimani warded off two defenders at each side to coax in a soft shot. Rafik Halliche nodded in a header off a corner kick. Abdelmoumene Djabou dumped in an attempt from straightaway.
The halftime score accurately reflected Algeria’s dominance. It pelted South Koreans with 13 shots, which was 13 more than the trailing side tried.
The Koreans came out gangbusters in the second half and broke through in the 50th minute on Son Heung-Min’s goal. Eleven minutes later, Yacine Brahimi snuffed out any aspirations of a comeback with one of his own.
The second half was mostly target practice for the Koreans (0-1-1), but they could only strike once more. Their hopes to advance hang by a jersey thread, with unbeaten Belgium, which has already clinched a spot in the round of 16, looming on the schedule.
