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Algeria beat South Korea 4-2 to reach knock-out stage

June 23, 2014 02:51 am | Updated May 23, 2016 04:05 pm IST - PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil

Algeria's forward Islam Slimani (Centre) celebrates scoring during a Group H football match between South Korea and Algeria at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre. Photo: AFP

Algeria put themselves in pole position to reach the World Cup knock-out stages for the first time with a 4-2 win over South Korea in Porto Alegre on Sunday.

It was the first time an African team had scored four goals in a World Cup match and ended a 32 year win drought at the finals for the 'Desert Foxes'.

First half goals from Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche and Abdelmoume Djabou put Algeria in total control.

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Yacine Brahimi's second half strike, sandwiched by efforts from Son Heung-Min and Koo Ja-Cheol, ensured Algeria moved up to second in Group H behind Belgium.

Having been knocked out in the group stages of their three previous tournament appearances, and not won a World Cup match in their last seven attempts, Algeria were looking for a lift at the Beira Rio stadium.

They were off to a dream start as Slimani, one of five changes from their opening 2-1 defeat to Belgium, muscled off Korea's two centre-backs to latch onto a long ball forward and jab home.

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Within three minutes, Halliche had doubled the lead with a powerful header from a corner.

Djabou, another player promoted to the starting line-up, fired home the third as Korea's hapless defence once again went missing.

The Asians were a different proposition in the second half and quickly pulled a goal back through Son, who fired through goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi's legs.

Mbolhi then made a brilliant save to deny Ki Sung-Yeung as the Koreans continued to push before Brahimi virtually killed the game after finishing off a slick passing move.

Koo slotted home a cross from Lee Keun-Ho but it wasn't enough to spare Korea's blushes, meaning they must now beat Belgium in their final group game to stand any chance of progressing.

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