Algeria booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in their history with a 1-1 draw against Russia in Curitiba. Aleksandr Kokorin gave Russia a sixth-minute lead, which would have earned Fabio Capello's team a clash against Germany in Porto Alegre on Monday. Dmitri Kombarov advanced down the left and sent in an inviting cross which Kokorin powered into the top corner of the net past Rais Mbolhi from 12 yards. However, Islam Slimani netted on the hour to ensure it was the north Africans who progress from Group H behind Belgium. Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev failed to cut out a free-kick and the Sporting Lisbon striker took advantage of space at the back post to head home his second goal of the tournament, from five yards. The 2018 hosts created little in the closing stages of the contest and exit the competition while Algeria can now look forward to a match against Germany - who they beat in the group stages of the 1982 World Cup.
In the other game, Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen struck in the 78th minute to hand 10-man Belgium a 1-0 triumph over South Korea in Curitiba. Belgium's third straight win clinched top spot in Group H for the Red Devils and set up a meeting with the United States in the round of 16. Belgium lost Steven Defour to a red card in the 44th minute after the Porto midfielder's reckless tackle on Kim Shin-wook. South Korea's best chance to score came before the hour mark when Lee Chung-yong's cross-cum-shot hit the crossbar with Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois already beaten. The result eliminated South Korea, who had progressed past the group stages in two of the last three World Cups.
