Belgium fight back to beat Algeria

Much-fancied Belgium suffered a case of stage fright in their first World Cup match in 12 years and had to battle back from a goal down to beat gutsy Algeria 2-1 with two goals late in the game in their Group H opener in Brazil on Tuesday. Substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens saved Belgium’s blushes after Algeria playmaker Sofiane Feghouli had put the North Africans ahead with a 25th minute penalty at Mineirao stadium, their first World Cup goal in 28 years. Belgium, who next play Russia before taking on South Korea, are among the favourites for the tournament, breezing through the qualifiers unbeaten and bringing a team to Brazil with world class players such as Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku. Yet they showed none of their skills and pace in a below-par first half performance in their first World Cup since 2002, with the pair completely shut out and the Algerians hardly putting a defensive foot wrong. Algeria, with key forward Islam Slimani surprisingly on the bench, posed little threat up front until left back Jan Vertonghen clumsily brought down Feghouli after a fine cross from Faouzi Ghoulam in the 25th minute. Feghouli calmly sent keeper Thibaut Courtois the wrong way to end his country’s 28-year wait for a World Cup goal and send the green-white-clad Algerian fans delirious, according to Reuters.