Russia 1, Algeria 1: Algeria through to Knockout Stage for first time in history

Algeria is through to the next round!

The Fennec Foxes earned a 1-1 draw with a listless Russian side to advance to the Knockout Stage of the World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history.

After scoring an early goal, Russia seemed content to sit back and allow Algeria as much possession as they wanted. However, just as Russia’s bus parking strategy was about to reach its most discouraging level, Algeria’s Islam Silmani rose above the opposition to head an equalizer into the net, and save his side from elimination.

The Goals

GOAL! Aleksandr Kokorin (RUS), 6 mins. Dimitri Kombarov says thank you very much for all the space on the left flank by sending in a nice cross into the box. Kokorin finds it in the air before anyone else, and heads it in.

GOAL! Islam Slimani (ALG), 60 mins. The free-kick from Yacine Brahimi draws Igor Akinfeev away from the goal line. He can’t get to the ball though, as Slimani rises at the far post and heads it into the open net. Tied game.

*****

Man of the Match - Islam Slimani

The goalscorer for Algeria was the best, most creative player on the pitch on Thursday. Slimani played in front of Hassan Yebda, but he covered so much territory it was as though the striker was also fulfilling the role of central attacking midfielder. When he wasn’t being set up as the side’s target man, Slimani was distributing into space for Feghouli and Djabou. Everything in terms of Algeria’s attack went through him.

The Controversy

Once again, Russia looked listless in attack, and once again, Alan Dzagoev — perhaps the side’s most dynamic attacker — remained nailed to the substitutes bench until the 67th minute.

There was also a strange moment right before Brahimi released his free-kick into the box, when it appeared Akinfeev had a green light shone in his eyes.

How did Algeria and Russia try to win?

From the perspective of a neutral observer, it’s incredibly hard to root for Russia. The side was lucky to take advantage of a defensive mix-up to score early, then they sat back, and let the Algerians bring the match to them. Only when Algeria finally scored, did they attempt to score with anything other than advantageous counter attacks.

It was too little, and too late. And terribly disappointing. The Russian side has obvious talent in attack, but simply refuses to use it. They paid the price on Thursday.

The Takeaway

Algeria is through to the Round of 16, and Russia is out.

With the 2018 World Cup being hosted in Russia, the Russian federation will have to consider whether Fabio Capello — the highest paid international coach at the tournament — is the right man to lead this team.

Algeria will be in tough against Germany on Monday, but they've achieved so much just by getting this far.

The 1,000 Words