World Cup 2014 Belgium vs Algeria result: Late comeback helps Red Devils get win

The final round of opening games at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil occur on Wednesday. The first of which was a Group H match up between Belgium and Algeria.

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Heading into the tournament, Belgium was a lot of pundit’s trendy as the dark horse team to contend for the title. It is easy to understand with world class talent all over the field at nearly every position.

Heading into a match up against Algeria, Belgium were heavy favorites to win the opening game. Belgium found themselves down a goal early in the game and having to play from behind after a Jan Vertonghen penalty in the box.

Vertonghen got beat in the box and grabbed the arm of Sofiane Feghouli, who subsequently went down and was awarded the penalty kick. Feghouli buried the kick, giving Algeria a shocking lead and Vertonghen was given a yellow card, though it didn’t necessarily look like a bookable offense.

More coverage: Belgium soccer | World Cup table, standings and schedule | World Cup GIFs

That scoreline held till the end of the half. In the second half Belgium looked like to get an equalizer and began pressuring on offense. They nearly got a ball on a corner kick when the Algerian goal keeper, Rais M’Bolhi, came out to make a play on the ball.

The goalkeeper missed it and the ball got behind him to a Belgian player, Axel Witsel, at the back post. Witsel was unable to control the ball, which hit him in the chest and the opportunity was gone.

The minutes were ticking off the clock in the second half and it looked like Belgium was headed towards an improbable upset in their opener. That was until the Belgian attack came alive in the 70th minute.

A cross from Kevin De Bruyne found Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini open in front of the goal and he buried the header to get the equalizing goal. A huge score from Fellaini salvaged a point out of the match if they could hold Algeria off for the final 20 minutes of the game.

Ten minutes later, Dries Mertens struck the ball for an incredible goal to give Belgium the lead. Just like that, Belgium escaped with a win and three points to move to the top of the Group H table. Later in the day, Russia and South Korea play in a Group H match up that will give every team in that group their first game in the tournament.