The sixth day of the world cup 2014 marked the end of the first round of group matches and the start of the second round. We would be entertained by the group H teams – Algeria, Belgium, Russia and Korea Republic – with Brazil taking on South American rivals Mexico in between.
Algeria and Belgium kicked off the matches of the day with both teams looking to get a head start in the race towards the round of 16. Algeria was the first to draw blood as Feghouli was brought down in the box by Tottenham’s, Jan Vertoghen. He stepped up to take the penalty sending Belgium’s keeper the wrong way and giving his team the lead.
[Read: Full list of World Cup 2014 match fixtures in Kenyan time]
Belgium had control of possession after the goal and Witsel tested Algeria’s keeper in the final minutes of the first half but he was up to the challenge and parried the shot away. The teams went into the half time break with Algeria in the driving seat.
The Belgian coach decided to introduce Mertens at half time in an attempt to add more attacking power to his team and it nearly paid off as he created a chance which Witsel headed over. However, his other substitute of the day, Manchester United’s Fellaini, would bring Belgium level with 20 minutes to go.
The Belgians got the winner in the 80th minute after their star player, Eden Hazard, found teammate Mertens who made no mistake with his effort to put the ball into the back of the net.
The second match had hosts Brazil take on Mexico with both teams looking to take control of Group A. Having won their first matches they knew that a win would all but assure them a place in the next round.
Mexico’s keeper put on an excellent display to keep his team in the game after producing two excellent saves, one from Neymar in the first half and the other from Brazilian captain Thiago Silva. Brazil dominated most of the game with Mexico settling on taking shots from long range and both teams ended up sharing the points as the game ended in a nil nil draw.
Croatia and Cameroon now have the chance to bring themselves back into the fray with a win for any of them bringing them to a point behind Brazil and Mexico.
The last game of the day had Russia take on Korea Republic with both teams looking for a win so as to increase their chances of progression into the next round.
Russia took control of possession but they were left susceptible to counter attacks with the Russians trying to pass their way round the Korean defense. Despite all this neither of them managed to find the back of the net in the first half and the teams went into the break with the game level at nil nil.
Russia started the second half’s attacks and earned a corner in the first minute only for captain Vasili to head into the side netting. The Koreans almost went ahead in the 50th minute but were denied after Russia’s keeper pulled off a great save. But his mistake in the 68th minute gave the Koreans the lead with the ball bouncing off his hands into the back of the net.
Substitute Aleksandr came to Russia’s rescue six minutes later tucking away an equalizer three minutes after coming on. After that it was end to end stuff but neither team managed to gain a winner with the game ending at one one.
Belgium now has control of the group and need a win against Korea Republic or Russia to make it into the next round. Algeria will be looking to get a win in their next game and keep their hopes of progressing alive.