Algeria hammer Korea 4-2 for their first World Cup win since 1982

First half strikes by Islam Slimani and Rafik Halliche helped Algeria to beat South Korea 4-2 on Sunday and become the first African team to score four goals in a World Cup match. Algeria led 3-0 at halftime, but withstood a stronger South Korean second half performance to claim its first World Cup win since 1982 and move into second place in Group H with one match left to play. Defeat for South Korea means it must now beat already-qualified Belgium to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout stages. Belgium leads with six points, Algeria now has three, while Russia and the South Koreans have one apiece. [caption id=“attachment_1583859” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Algeria led 3-0 at halftime, but withstood a stronger South Korean second half performance to claim its first World Cup win since 1982. AP[/caption] Slimani, one of three Algeria scorers who didn’t start in the opening 2-1 loss to Belgium, broke the deadlock in the 26th minute with a fine solo goal, running onto a through ball between two defenders and then touching it past Jung Sung-ryong. Two minutes after the restart, defender Rafik Halliche powerfully headed in a corner after Jung came off his line but failed to make contact with the ball. Algeria added a third goal in the 38th when Abdelmoumene Djabou side-footed home from close to the penalty spot after Slimani pulled the ball back for him. South Korea didn’t manage a shot on target all half, and struggled to break down Algeria’s attacks. However, it was far more positive after the break and pulled a goal back in the 48th minute when Son Heung-min shot through the legs of Rais Mbolhi. Hopes of a remarkable comeback were soon extinguished, though, when swift passing by Slimani put Yacini Brahimi through on a counter attack to make it 4-1. South Korea captain Koo Ja-cheol bundled the ball home on 72 minutes from close range, but Algeria’s defense held on to secure a historic victory. AP