Russia 1 Algeria 1
Algeria went through to the knockout stages for the first time but against a backdrop of controversy, with Russia’s goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev claiming he was distracted by a laser pen at the free-kick from which Islam Slimani scored the crucial equaliser.
While Fifa is unlikely to be able to take any action against the perpetrators it adds to the sudden air of disquiet around the World Cup after its superb first two weeks.
Russia took the lead after just five minutes. Oleg Shatov delivered a wonderful first time cross from the left and Aleksandr Kokorin leapt straight and high to the left of the penalty spot to send a header into the top corner. It was a wonderfully simple goal, perfectly executed. It may also have been assisted by the absence of Feghouli, who was off the pitch having a bandage put on his bleeding head after a nasty clash with a team-mate. It was a bandage that had to be reapplied later, much as he and his manager insisted on continuing.
From Algeria through, it was now Russia who were through, and the game was opening up. It was becoming entertaining too, a match that was swift and direct, the ball moved rapidly and with a sense of urgency. That might not have surprised from Algeria, but the transformation in Russia compared to their opening two games was striking. A lovely run from Denis Glushakov was eventually shut down, Kokorin had another header, this time sending it wide, and Shatov hit a swerving shot that evaded the far post.
At the other end Slimani appealed for a penalty for a tug, kneeling on the turf arms raised, and better chances came with two headers. The first was brilliantly pushed away from the top corner by Akinfeev; the second offered the goalkeeper the chance to make a simpler save.
Russia almost extended their lead at the start of the second half and it would have been a superb goal. Aleksandr Samedov dashed forward, exchanged first-time passes with Viktor Fayzulin, then with Kokorin, and sprinted towards goal, past Rafik Halliche and beyond the defence. Rais M’Bolhi was out quickly and blocked the shot with his chest. Next it was Kerzhakov who was running at them, his deflected shot looping over the bar off Carl Medjani. This was becoming a feature; Russia could see the space opening in front of them.
For Algeria, the target remained Slimani in the air and the avenue to him was the wings. Feghouli and Aissa Mandi tried to create one chance which the latter could not quite reach. Then Yacine Brahimi’s free-kick found him at the far post. His header forced a save from Akinfeev but he was judged to have pushed on his way up to meet the ball. The foul that had led to the free-kick was as cynical as it was obvious. Kombarov committed it and was booked; almost immediately after Kozlov did the same on the other side.
This time Abdelmoumeme Djabou took the free-kick. And this time, the delivery was perfect: Slimani headed in. The stadium erupted and smoke billowed out, but replays revealed that Akinfeev, whose timing looked poor, was having a green laser pen shone in his face.
Around 5,000 Algerians had come, their travel subsidised for them, and they were making a lot of noise. In the din. Slimani kneeled on the turf. Now it was Algeria going through.
ALGERIA: 23 Rais Mbolhi; 20 Aissa Mandi, 4 Essaid Belkalem, 5 Rafik Halliche, 6 Djamel Mesbah (yc); 12 Carl Medjani , 14 Nabil Bentaleb; 10 Sofiane Feghouli, 11 Yacine Brahimi (7 Hassan Yebda, 71 mins), 18 Abdelmoumen Djabou (9 Nabil Ghilas, 77 mins); 13 Islam Slimani (15 Hilal Soudani, 90 mins). Yellow cards: Mesbah, Ghilas.
RUSSIA: 1 Igor Akinfeev; 2 Alexey Kozlov (yc), 14 Vasiliy Berezutskiy, 4 Sergey Ignashevich, 23 Dmitry Kombarov; 8 Denis Glushakov (7 Igor Denisov, half-time), 20 Viktor Faizulin; 19 Alexander Samedov, 9 Alexander Kokorin, 17 Oleg Shatov (10 Alan Dzagoev, 67 mins); 11 Alexander Kerzhakov (6 Maxim Kanunnikov, 81 mins).
Yellow card: Kombarov.
