Algeria hold Russia to enter Round-II

Algeria reached the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup for the 1st time in their history after ending draw with Russia in Group H in Curitiba, Brazil on Thursday night. The 1-1 result earned the north African team a place in 2nd round. Islam Slimani headed the second-half goal to ensure Algeria that they progress to the knockout phase for the first time in their World Cup history. Alexander Kokorin put the Russians in front after just six minutes with an accurate header into the top corner. However, Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev’s nightmare tournament continued when he completely missed Yacine Brahimi’s free-kick allowing Slimani to nod home his second goal of the tournament. Russia boss Fabio Capello said there was no doubt Akinfeev had been distracted by a green laser beam shone in his face. ‘He was blinded by the laser beam. There are pictures and you can see that in the footage,’ said the Italian. ‘It is not an excuse. The goalkeeper was unable to do his job, the laser beam was in his face,’ according to AFP.