Algeria Coach Vahid Halihodzic blamed bad luck, the referee and lack of fitness for their 2-1 defeat to Belgium.
Algeria Coach Vahid Halihodzic blamed bad luck, the referee and lack of fitness for their 2-1 defeat to Belgium.
His side had been 1-0 up thanks to a Sofiane Feghouli penalty, but substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Napoli’s Dries Mertens turned it all around late on.
“In the second half we let the Belgians play too much and we had to endure the game. When you do that it is quite natural that you'll concede goals.
“But in my eyes Feghouli was clearly fouled by Kevin De Bruyne in the build-up to the goal and the referee had to blow the whistle.
“That did not happen, and so the Belgians were away on counter-attack. The little details that make the difference.”
Nonetheless, Halihodzic conceded the Red Devils were more consistent throughout the game.
“Algeria should be proud. We should not forget that Belgium is one of the strongest teams in Europe, and is physically strong.
“Fellaini is a physically strong player and is one of the best in Europe with the head. He dominated the air and made the difference.”