Algeria got their first World Cup victory since 1982 in a thrilling 4-2 win over South Korea, making history for African teams.
This result means a point against Fabio Capello’s Russia in the last game will be enough to qualify Algeria for the Round of 16.
Korea maintained the same XI that held Russia to a 1-1 draw, while the Desert Foxes made five changes, bringing in Parma wing-back Djamel Mesbah.
Algeria got their first World Cup victory since 1982 in a thrilling 4-2 win over South Korea, making history for African teams.
This result means a point against Fabio Capello’s Russia in the last game will be enough to qualify Algeria for the Round of 16.
Korea maintained the same XI that held Russia to a 1-1 draw, while the Desert Foxes made five changes, bringing in Parma wing-back Djamel Mesbah.
Algeria got off to an aggressive start, as after one minute Sofiane Feghouli fired just off target, then the same player had penalty appeals for a last-ditch Han Kook-Young challenge and Islam Slimani nodded inches wide from a corner.
Slimani had a great chance to volley in from nine yards, but his first touch was awful and instead looked more like a clearance.
Algeria took a deserved lead before the half-hour mark, as Slimani ran on to a splendid Carl Medjani ball over the top and flicked it past the on-rushing galkeeper.
Straight from the kick-off a Slimani angled drive was deflected out for a corner and it allowed Algeria to go 2-0 up, as it was met by a bullet Rafik Halliche header.
It was one-way traffic and the third goal was a very well-worked move. Slimani was again involved, combining with Abdelmoumene Djabou through dismal defending to eventually slide home.
Korea got themselves back into it after the restart, as a long ball fell to Son Heung-Min, he swerved past his marker and nutmegged the goalkeeper with an angled drive.
They were suddenly fired up and Mbolhi flew for a one-handed save on the Ki Sung-Yeung screamer that was heading into the far top corner from almost 30 yards. Then Park Chu-Young took a free kick quickly to force a goalline clearance.
Instead, Algeria added a fourth with a wonderfully worked move. Yacine Brahimi burst into the box thanks to a rapid give-and-go with Feghouli and slipped the ball in at the near stick.
Remarkably, Algeria hadn’t scored more than one goal in a World Cup game since 1982, but became the first ever African side to net four.
The drama still wasn’t over, as a long ball was knocked down and Lee Keun-Ho pulled across for Koo Je-Cheol to fire in from four yards.
Korea wanted a penalty in the final minutes, but the referee waved play on when Medjani appeared to nudge Son in the back.
South Korea 2-4 Algeria
Scorers: Slimani 26 (A), Halliche 28 (A), Djabou 38 (A), Son Heung-Min 50 (K), Brahimi 62 (A), Koo Ja-Cheol 72 (K)
South Korea: Jung Sung-Ryong; Lee Yong, Hong Jeong-Ho, Kim Young-Gwon, Yun Suk-Young; Han Kook-Young (Ji Dong-Won 78), Ki Sung-Yeung; Lee Chung-Yong (Lee Keun-Ho 64), Koo Ja-Cheol, Son Heung-Min; Park Chu Young (Kim Shin-Wook 57)
Algeria: Mbolhi; Medjani, Bouguerra (Belkalem 89), Halliche; Mandi, Feghouli, Brahimi (Lacen 77), Djabou (Ghilas 73), Bentaleb, Mesbah; Slimani
Ref: Roldan (COL)