2014 FIFA World Cup Group H

Group H of the 2014 FIFA World Cup consisted of Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea. Play began on 17 June and ended on 26 June 2014. The top two teams, Belgium and Algeria, advanced to the round of 16.

Teams
Draw position Team Confederation Method of
qualification		 Date of
qualification		 Finals
appearance		 Last
appearance		 Previous best
performance		 FIFA Rankings
October 2013[nb 1] June 2014 August 2014 October 2019
H1 (seed) BelgiumUEFAUEFA Group A winners11 October 201312th2002Fourth place (1986)51151
H2 AlgeriaCAFCAF Third Round winners19 November 20134th2010Group stage (1982, 1986, 2010)32222438
H3 RussiaUEFAUEFA Group F winners15 October 201310th[nb 2]2002Fourth place (1966)[nb 3]19192337
H4 South KoreaAFCAFC Fourth Round Group A 2nd runners-up18 June 20139th2010Fourth place (2002)56575739
Notes
  1. The rankings of October 2013 were used for seeding for the final draw.
  2. This is the 3rd appearance of Russia at the FIFA World Cup. However, FIFA considers Russia as the successor team of the USSR.
  3. Russia's best result is group stage in 1994 and 2002. However, FIFA considers Russia as the successor team of the Soviet Union.

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Belgium 3 3 0 0 4 1 +3 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Algeria 3 1 1 1 6 5 +1 4
3  Russia 3 0 2 1 2 3 −1 2
4  South Korea 3 0 1 2 3 6 −3 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria

Matches

Belgium vs Algeria

The two teams had met in two previous matches, both friendlies, most recently in 2003, won 3–1 by Belgium.[1]

Algeria took a one-goal lead in the first half after Sofiane Feghouli converted a penalty kick, awarded for a foul on him by Jan Vertonghen. Belgium came back with two goals in the second half, both scored by substitutes.[2] The equaliser was scored by Marouane Fellaini, heading in a cross from the left by Kevin De Bruyne, followed by the game winner scored by Dries Mertens from a pass by Eden Hazard.[3]

Feghouli's goal snapped Algeria's 506-minute World Cup scoreless streak stretching back to 1986, second place at the time to the record of 517 minutes between 1930 and 1990 held by Bolivia.[4]

Belgium 2–1 Algeria
 Report
Attendance: 56,800
Belgium
Algeria
GK1Thibaut Courtois
RB2Toby Alderweireld
CB15Daniel Van Buyten
CB4Vincent Kompany (c)
LB5Jan Vertonghen 24'
CM6Axel Witsel
CM19Moussa Dembélé 65'
RW22Nacer Chadli 46'
AM7Kevin De Bruyne
LW10Eden Hazard
CF9Romelu Lukaku 58'
Substitutions:
FW14Dries Mertens 46'
FW17Divock Origi 58'
MF8Marouane Fellaini 65'
Manager:
Marc Wilmots
GK23Raïs M'Bolhi
RB22Mehdi Mostefa
CB2Madjid Bougherra (c)
CB5Rafik Halliche
LB3Faouzi Ghoulam
RM19Saphir Taïder
CM12Carl Medjani 84'
LM14Nabil Bentaleb 34'
AM10Sofiane Feghouli
AM21Riyad Mahrez 71'
CF15El Arbi Hillel Soudani 66'
Substitutions:
FW13Islam Slimani 66'
MF8Medhi Lacen 71'
FW9Nabil Ghilas 84'
Manager:
Vahid Halilhodžić

Man of the Match:
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

Assistant referees:
Marvin Torrentera (Mexico)
Marcos Quintero (Mexico)
Fourth official:
Alireza Faghani (Iran)
Fifth official:
Hassan Kamranifar (Iran)

Russia vs South Korea

The two teams had met in one previous match, in a friendly in 2013.[5]

After a goalless first half, the two teams traded goals by substitutes in the second half as the match finished 1–1. First, Han Kook-young passed to Lee Keun-ho, and his long range shot was spilled by Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev into the net.[6] Russia equalised after Alan Dzagoev's shot was parried by South Korean goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong, the clearance hit Andrey Yeshchenko, and Aleksandr Kerzhakov scored from close range.[7]

Russia 1–1 South Korea
 Report
Attendance: 37,603
Russia
South Korea
GK1Igor Akinfeev
RB22Andrey Yeshchenko
CB4Sergei Ignashevich
CB14Vasili Berezutski (c)
LB23Dmitri Kombarov
DM8Denis Glushakov 72'
CM20Viktor Fayzulin
CM18Yuri Zhirkov 71'
RW19Aleksandr Samedov
LW17Oleg Shatov 49' 59'
CF9Aleksandr Kokorin
Substitutions:
MF10Alan Dzagoev 59'
FW11Aleksandr Kerzhakov 71'
MF7Igor Denisov 72'
Manager:
Fabio Capello
GK1Jung Sung-ryong
RB12Lee Yong
CB5Kim Young-gwon
CB20Hong Jeong-ho 73'
LB3Yun Suk-young
CM16Ki Sung-yueng 30'
CM14Han Kook-young
RW17Lee Chung-yong
AM13Koo Ja-cheol (c) 90'
LW9Son Heung-min 13' 84'
CF10Park Chu-young 56'
Substitutions:
FW11Lee Keun-ho 56'
DF6Hwang Seok-ho 73'
MF7Kim Bo-kyung 84'
Manager:
Hong Myung-bo

Man of the Match:
Son Heung-min (South Korea)

Assistant referees:
Hernán Maidana (Argentina)
Juan Pablo Belatti (Argentina)
Fourth official:
Roberto Moreno (Panama)
Fifth official:
Eric Boria (United States)

Belgium vs Russia

The two teams had met in eight previous matches (including matches involving the Soviet Union), including four in the FIFA World Cup (1970, group stage: Belgium 1–4 Soviet Union; 1982, second group stage: Belgium 0–1 Soviet Union; 1986, round of 16: Belgium 4–3 (aet) Soviet Union; 2002, group stage: Belgium 3–2 Russia).[8]

Aleksandr Kokorin had Russia's best chance in the first half, heading wide from six yards. Late in the second half, Belgian substitute Kevin Mirallas hit the post with his free kick, but Belgium did find the game-winner through another substitute, Divock Origi scoring from 8 yards out after Eden Hazard's cut-back from the left. This victory sent Belgium into the knockout stage.[9][10]

Belgium 1–0 Russia
 Report
Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
Attendance: 73,819
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)
Belgium
Russia
GK1Thibaut Courtois
RB2Toby Alderweireld 73'
CB15Daniel Van Buyten
CB4Vincent Kompany (c)
LB3Thomas Vermaelen 31'
CM6Axel Witsel 54'
CM8Marouane Fellaini
RW14Dries Mertens 75'
AM7Kevin De Bruyne
LW10Eden Hazard
CF9Romelu Lukaku 57'
Substitutions:
DF5Jan Vertonghen 31'
FW17Divock Origi 57'
MF11Kevin Mirallas 75'
Manager:
Marc Wilmots
GK1Igor Akinfeev
RB2Aleksei Kozlov 62'
CB14Vasili Berezutski (c)
CB4Sergei Ignashevich
LB23Dmitri Kombarov
DM8Denis Glushakov 38'
CM20Viktor Fayzulin
RW19Aleksandr Samedov 90'
AM6Maksim Kanunnikov
LW17Oleg Shatov 83'
CF9Aleksandr Kokorin
Substitutions:
DF22Andrey Yeshchenko 62'
MF10Alan Dzagoev 83'
FW11Aleksandr Kerzhakov 90'
Manager:
Fabio Capello

Man of the Match:
Eden Hazard (Belgium)

Assistant referees:
Mark Borsch (Germany)
Stefan Lupp (Germany)
Fourth official:
Carlos Vera (Ecuador)
Fifth official:
Byron Romero (Ecuador)

South Korea vs Algeria

The two teams had met in two previous matches, both in friendlies both in 1985.[11]

Algeria, which needed at least a point to stay alive in the competition, scored three goals in the first half to take a comfortable lead. First, Islam Slimani sped past two South Korean defenders to receive Carl Medjani's long pass and slot home with his left foot past the advancing goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Rafik Halliche headed in Abdelmoumene Djabou's corner from the left. Djabou scored himself later after he received a pass from Slimani, shooting low with his left foot from twelve yards out.[12] Early in the second half, Son Heung-min controlled a long pass from Ki Sung-yueng to shoot with his left foot between the goalkeeper's legs and reduce the deficit, but Yacine Brahimi restored Algeria's three-goal lead after a one-two with Sofiane Feghouli to side foot home from inside the penalty area with his right foot. Koo Ja-cheol scored South Korea's second goal after a pass from Lee Keun-ho from the left, but Algeria held on for its third ever World Cup victory, but its first since 24 June 1982.[13]

Algeria became the first African team to score four goals in a World Cup match.[14]

South Korea 2–4 Algeria
 Report
Attendance: 42,732
South Korea
Algeria
GK1Jung Sung-ryong
RB12Lee Yong 54'
CB20Hong Jeong-ho
CB5Kim Young-gwon
LB3Yun Suk-young
CM14Han Kook-young 69' 78'
CM16Ki Sung-yueng
RW17Lee Chung-yong 64'
AM13Koo Ja-cheol (c)
LW9Son Heung-min
CF10Park Chu-young 57'
Substitutions:
FW18Kim Shin-wook 57'
FW11Lee Keun-ho 64'
FW19Ji Dong-won 78'
Manager:
Hong Myung-bo
GK23Raïs M'Bolhi
CB12Carl Medjani
CB2Madjid Bougherra (c) 67' 89'
CB5Rafik Halliche
RWB20Aïssa Mandi
LWB6Djamel Mesbah
CM11Yacine Brahimi 77'
CM18Abdelmoumene Djabou 73'
RW10Sofiane Feghouli
LW14Nabil Bentaleb
CF13Islam Slimani
Substitutions:
FW9Nabil Ghilas 73'
MF8Medhi Lacen 77'
DF4Essaïd Belkalem 89'
Manager:
Vahid Halilhodžić

Man of the Match:
Islam Slimani (Algeria)

Assistant referees:
Eduardo Díaz (Colombia)
Christian Lescano (Ecuador)
Fourth official:
Alireza Faghani (Iran)
Fifth official:
Hassan Kamranifar (Iran)

South Korea vs Belgium

The two teams had met in three previous matches, including twice in the FIFA World Cup group stage (1990: South Korea 0–2 Belgium; 1998: South Korea 1–1 Belgium).[15]

Belgium, which had already qualified for the knockout stage and would win the group if either South Korea did not win this match, or Algeria didn’t beat Russia in the other simultaneous match, had Steven Defour sent off for a reckless tackle on Kim Shin-wook at the end of the first half. Belgium scored the only goal of the match in the second half, when substitute Divock Origi's shot was parried by South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu and Jan Vertonghen converted the rebound with his left foot.[16]

Belgium's win ensured that they topped their group, while South Korea, which had to win by two goals to have any chance for qualification to the knockout stage, were eliminated.[17]

South Korea's elimination meant that all four Asian representatives finished last in their group with a combined record of zero wins, three draws and nine defeats, the worst showing by the Asian Football Confederation since the 1990 World Cup.[18]

South Korea 0–1 Belgium
Report
Attendance: 61,397
South Korea
Belgium
GK21Kim Seung-gyu
RB12Lee Yong
CB5Kim Young-gwon
CB20Hong Jeong-ho 35'
LB3Yun Suk-young
CM14Han Kook-young 46'
CM16Ki Sung-yueng
RW17Lee Chung-yong
AM13Koo Ja-cheol (c)
LW9Son Heung-min 73'
CF18Kim Shin-wook 66'
Substitutions:
FW11Lee Keun-ho 46'
MF7Kim Bo-kyung 66'
FW19Ji Dong-won 73'
Manager:
Hong Myung-bo
GK1Thibaut Courtois
RB21Anthony Vanden Borre
CB15Daniel Van Buyten
CB18Nicolas Lombaerts
LB5Jan Vertonghen (c)
CM16Steven Defour 45'
CM19Moussa Dembélé 50'
RW14Dries Mertens 60'
AM8Marouane Fellaini
LW20Adnan Januzaj 60'
CF11Kevin Mirallas 88'
Substitutions:
MF22Nacer Chadli 60'
FW17Divock Origi 60'
MF10Eden Hazard 88'
Manager:
Marc Wilmots

Man of the Match:
Jan Vertonghen (Belgium)

Assistant referees:
Matthew Cream (Australia)
Hakan Anaz (Australia)
Fourth official:
Víctor Hugo Carrillo (Peru)
Fifth official:
Rodney Aquino (Paraguay)

Algeria vs Russia
Further information: List of 2014 FIFA World Cup controversies § Russia vs Algeria

The two teams had met in three previous matches (only involving matches during the time period of the Soviet Union).[19]

Aleksandr Kokorin opened the scoring for Russia, which had to win to have chance of qualifying for the knockout stage, in the 6th minute when he scored with a header after a cross from Dmitri Kombarov from the left. Algeria equalised in the 60th minute when Islam Slimani scored with a header at the back post after a free kick from the left by Yacine Brahimi which was missed by Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. Algeria held on for the draw, and as South Korea lost to Belgium in the other match played at the same time, Algeria finished as group runners-up and reached the second round for the first time in their history (after unsuccessful campaigns in 1982, 1986, and 2010), while Russia failed to advance out of the group stage in all three tournaments since the break-up of the Soviet Union.[20]

For Algeria's goal, television replays showed that Akinfeev had a green laser light shining in his face during the play.[21] After the match the Algerian Football Federation was fined 50,000 CHF by FIFA for the use of laser pointers, a prohibited item in the stadium according to FIFA Stadium Safety and Security Regulations,[22] and other violations of the rules by Algerian fans.[23]

With fellow African representative Nigeria also reaching the knockout stage earlier, this was the first time that there were two teams from the Confederation of African Football in the knockout stage of a World Cup.[24]

Algeria 1–1 Russia
 Report
Attendance: 39,311
Algeria
Russia
GK23Raïs M'Bolhi
RB20Aïssa Mandi
CB4Essaïd Belkalem
CB5Rafik Halliche (c)
LB6Djamel Mesbah 39'
CM12Carl Medjani
CM14Nabil Bentaleb
RW10Sofiane Feghouli
AM11Yacine Brahimi 71'
LW18Abdelmoumene Djabou 77'
CF13Islam Slimani 90+2'
Substitutions:
MF7Hassan Yebda 71'
FW9Nabil Ghilas 87' 77'
FW15El Arbi Hillel Soudani 90+2'
DF17Liassine Cadamuro 90+2'[note 1]
Manager:
Vahid Halilhodžić
GK1Igor Akinfeev
RB2Aleksei Kozlov 59'
CB14Vasili Berezutski (c)
CB4Sergei Ignashevich
LB23Dmitri Kombarov 57'
CM8Denis Glushakov 46'
CM20Viktor Fayzulin
RW19Aleksandr Samedov
AM9Aleksandr Kokorin
LW17Oleg Shatov 67'
CF11Aleksandr Kerzhakov 81'
Substitutions:
MF7Igor Denisov 46'
MF10Alan Dzagoev 67'
FW6Maksim Kanunnikov 81'
Manager:
Fabio Capello

Man of the Match:
Islam Slimani (Algeria)

Assistant referees:
Bahattin Duran (Turkey)
Tarık Ongun (Turkey)
Fourth official:
Joel Aguilar (El Salvador)
Fifth official:
Juan Zumba (El Salvador)

Notes
  1. Despite not playing, Cadamuro received a yellow card on the bench.

References
  1. "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  2. "Belgium's Dries Mertens completes fightback against impressive Algeria". Guardian. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  3. "Belgium 2 Algeria 1". BBC Sport. 17 June 2014.
  4. "World Cup 2014: Belgian subs inspire comeback 2–1 win over Algeria". The Australian. 18 June 2014.
  5. "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  6. "Aleksandr Kerzhakov rescues point for Russia against South Korea". Guardian. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  7. "Russia 1 South Korea 1". BBC Sport. 17 June 2014.
  8. "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. p. 37. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  9. "Belgium 1 Russia 0". BBC Sport. 22 June 2014.
  10. "Belgium through after Divock Origi sees off Russia with late goal". Guardian. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  11. "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. p. 38. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  12. "Algeria's Islam Slimani starts onslaught to put game beyond South Korea". Guardian. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  13. "South Korea 2 Algeria 4". BBC Sport. 22 June 2014.
  14. "South Korea 2–4 Algeria – match report: African side run riot in Porto Alegre to close in on place in knockout stages". Daily Mail. 22 June 2014.
  15. "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. p. 49. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  16. "Jan Vertonghen fires Belgium to win over South Korea". Guardian. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  17. "South Korea 0 Belgium 1". BBC Sport. 26 June 2014.
  18. "Asian media dissects quartet's World Cup performance". FIFA.com. 27 June 2014.
  19. "2014 FIFA World Cup – Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA.com. p. 50. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2014.
  20. "Algeria 1 Russia 1". BBC Sport. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  21. "Algeria through but Russia's Akinfeev distracted by laser for Slimani goal". Guardian. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  22. FIFA Stadium Safety and Security Regulations — see page 96, "g"
  23. Evans, Simon (1 July 2014). "Algeria zapped with FIFA fine over lasers". Reuters. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  24. "CONCACAF and Africa enter brave new world". FIFA.com. 27 June 2014.
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