itsbeautifuloutside

Belgium v Algeria

Belo Horizonte, 17th June 2014

Match Report

Sometimes I read reports of Saints games and wonder if the writer even watched the game in question and so it was with this game when I and a look at the initial reports to get posted.

Belgium had to work hard for this win in the hot sticky heat of Belo Horizonte, which would have been much more to the Algerians liking, than the Brlgians. But it proved that the manager, Marc Wilmots actually has a plan 'B'. Until the substitutions they had laboured against a hard working Algerian side. The North African side seemed content to harry and pressure a Belgian team that had more than a passing resemblance to Saints at several games at St.Mary's this last season, in that it was all possession and patient build up, without actually threatening the goal much.

This all changed in the 24th minute Faouzi Ghoulam crossed across the face of the Belgian goal and with no real chance of Feghouli meeting it, Vertoughen unceremoniously hauled him down. Penalty.

Feghouli, the Valencia player struck a cool, confident penalty past Cortois in the Belgian goal. 0-1.

At this time the Belgians were way ahead on the possession front with 65% to 35%. They had also had 5 shots on goal to Algeria's 2.

The large numbers of Algerian fans were in good voice and the Belgians looked worried.

So, not looking good for my tip to do well in the 2014 World Cup.

The Belgians stepped things up a bit and managed to win several free kicks near the Algerian goal, but nothing came of these and all it proved was that the ref was really keen on his foam. De Bruyne placed the ball for one free kick and the referee squirted a simply huge amount of foam in front of the ball, which was almost as high as the ball itself. Bonkers.

So, half time came and the Algerians were happy. The Belgians were not. Particularly Lukaku, who had looked lost on his own up at the front.

The slightly odd fact about the starting Belgian team was that not one player actually plus his trade in the domestic league.

Right from the start of the second half Wilmots took off the ineffective Chadli and replaced him with Dries Mertens, who had an immediate impact. Next to go was Lukaku, who I had forgotten was even on the pitch. He was replaced by the 19 year old Origi. The third and final change was Fellaini replacing Dembélé. What a transformation. Suddenly Algeria were under all sorts of pressure.

The pressure told in the 70th minute when a lovely flowing move, involving some great play from Eden Hazard, ended with Fellaini planting a firm header past M'Bolhi. 1-1.

The game was there for the taking and eventually, after another great move, Mertens shot on the run for a great goal. The turn around had been completed in the 80th minute.

They closed the match out without any further dramas, but Fellaini probably should have had another couple of goals.

This was the sign of a team coming into form. Starting slowly, but able to step up when it matters. Watch out for the Belgians, they could well be featuring strongly past the group stages.

channonite