BEIJING,June 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Teenage forward Divock Origi scored in the 88th minute as Belgium beat Russia 1-nil to secure a spot in the second round.
Belgium struggled to find a way through the Russian defense until the dying stages of the Group H game. Kevin Mirallas hit the post 7 minutes from time, and Eden Hazard sent a shot wide, before Origi’s right-foot winner. Belgium now have six points and lead the group.
And the night’s second game finished with Algeria beating South Korea 4-2 in Group H. The goal-fest began in the 26th minute with a fine individual effort by Islami Slimani. South Korea were having a poor first half. Within 12 minutes, Algeria was 3 up, after goals from Halliche and Djabou. But the South Koreans were a different team in the second half, and scored early through Son Heungmin. It looked like they might pull another goal back, but on the 62nd minute; Yacine Brahimi made it 4-1 for Algeria. That wasn’t the end of it, though South Korea scored another ten minutes later, with a tap-in by Koo Jacheol.
The result leaves Group H wide open with only Belgium through to the second round. Russia, Algeria and South Korea are all still in the mix going into the final game.
In the third game of the day, Silvestre Varela scored in stoppage time to earn Portugal a 2-2 draw against the USA in their Group G clash. Varela met a precise Cristiano Ronaldo cross at the far post with a perfect header. Nani had scored first for Portugal in the fifth minute, but the Americans responded in the second half as Portugal seemed to wilt in the stifling heat. Jermaine Jones made it 1-1 with a curling shot in the 64th minute, after a cross from Graham Zusi made its way through the Portugal defense. Clint Dempsey then put the Americans ahead in the 81st, using his stomach to direct the ball into the net. The result keeps alive Portugal’s hopes of progressing to the next round, while the USA misses a chance to secure a round of 16 berth.
(Source: CNTV)
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