World Cup results 17 June 2014

18 06 2014

 

Group H

Estadio Mineirao

Belo Horizonte

Belgium

Algeria

Full-time

2-1

BELGIUM BEAT ALGERIA 2-1 IN A STUNNING COMEBACK In a Group H match in Belo Horizonte, Belgium made a stunning rally to beat Algeria 2-1 with two second half goals.
Widely billed dark horse to lift the trophy, Belgium had to toil hard to erase the 0-1 deficit after Algeria had taken a surprise lead in the 25th minute against the run of play through a penalty kick conversion by Sofiane Feghouli.
Belgium, whose most of players ply trade in top European clubs, turned the match on its head with two goals in the space of 10 minutes.
Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini equalised in the 70th minute through a glancing header before substitute Dries Mertens made a fierce finish with a low shot for the winning goal in the 80th minute.

17 Jun 2014 – 16:00 Local time

Group A

Estadio Castelao

Fortaleza

Brazil

Mexico

Full-time

0-0

Mexico stall Brazil World Cup charge in 0-0 draw

The Mexican goalkeeper pulled off an incredible diving stop from a Neymar header and a seriesof other extraordinary saves, holding up Brazil´s march toward qualification from Group A.The 28-year-old, who has no club as his contract with French club AC Ajaccio has ended, did a lap of honour around the Fortaleza Castelao Stadium after one of the great World Cup goalkeeping performances. Basketball hero Kobe Bryant hailed “OCHOA!! Incredible” in a Tweet within minutes of the game ending.
“The precious draw left Mexico level with Brazil on four points from two games.While Ochoa deservedly grabbed the headlines, Brazil finished the game relieved to have earned a point.
Mexico had several late chances to score a shock upset, with Brazil grateful to their own goalkeeper Julio Cesar for keeping the match goalless.
The draw maintained Mexico´s impressive recent record against Brazil following their shock victory in the final of the London Olympics football tournament in 2012.

17 Jun 2014 – 18:00 Local time

Group H

Arena Pantanal

Cuiaba

Russia

Korea Republic

Full-time

1-1

Russia, S Korea to World Cup  1-1 draw

Russia S Korea draw
CUIABA: Alexander Kerzhakov rescued Russia in their first World Cup finals match since 2002, scoring three minutes after coming on as substitute to salvage a 1-1 draw against South Korea on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old St Petersburg striker  is the sole survivor from the squad that appeared at the 2002 World Cup finals — was brought on after rival´s substitute Lee Keun-Ho put South Korea ahead with a 30 metre shot that Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev disastrously parried over his head into the net.
The result left both countries trailing Belgium who head the Group H table after beating Algeria 2-1 earlier.Russia, who host the 2018 finals, were looking to make an impact in their landmark return.
They owed their saved honour to Kerzhakov who scored his 26th international goal. On Akinfeev´s error Russian coach Fabio Capello said: “Just like some players can miss penalties it can happen that a keeper makes a mistake as well.
“You can accept a mistake from a great keeper like Akinfeev. Today it turned out fine.”The reaction of the players was really good,” the Italian added when asked about the Korean goal.
“That was important to me.”Korean coach Hong Myung-Bo commented: “It´s the first match and I´m satisfied.
“The last two countries to make their appearance in Brazil 2014 slowly cranked up the tempo in 77 percent humidity under the Arena Pantanal´s floodlights.
The Koreans began brightly enough, with Bayer Leverkusen´s Son Heung-Min testing Akinfeev early, his right-footed shot going high.
Seconds later the midfielder was booked unfairly by Argentine referee Nestor Pitana.
Playing all in white to Russia´s maroon and watched by a near-full stadium where the prominent colour was Brazilian yellow, the Taeguk Warriors showed technical ability without ever threatening to score.
The largely local crowd began to vent their frustration at what they perceived to be the lack of spectacle served up for their evening entertainment.
A half-hearted Mexican wave — never a good sign especially in the first half hour of a match — crept its way round the stands, as Sergei Ignashevich struck a 30 metre freekick straight into Korean keeper Jung Sung-Yong´s hands.Korean captain Koo Ja-Cheol livened things up with a low left-footed effort.

Then Son, who found the net 11 times for Leverkusen last season, had a real chance in front of goal but his shot sailed exuberantly over Akinfeev´s crossbar.
The Koreans had the upper hand as the tepid first half drew to a close, their midfield putting together some neat moves, with Han Kook-Young and Sunderland´s Ki Sung-Yeung proving a handful.
The teams emerged for the second period with this World Cup´s third goalless draw within 24 hours only 45 minutes away.
If Russia were to give coach Capello something to celebrate on his 68th birthday at midnight, they´d have to up their game.
And they came out fighting with two quick chances from Victor Fayzulin and skipper Vasily Berezutski.
Down at the other end, Akinfeev did well to deny Koo´s potent drive.In a bid to shake things up Korean coach Hong Myung-Bo, captain of the side that finished fourth at the 2002 World Cup, introduced prolific striker Lee for Park, and it proved a useful switch.
On 68 minutes, Lee broke the deadlock in style, charging towards the Russian box, rounding a defender to shoot right-footed. Akinfeev looked devastated after at first seeming to halt the ball but then watching in horror as it went over his head.
Russia pulled back level when Kerzhakov, after coming on for Yury Zhirkov, pounced on the ball after a goalmouth scramble to shoot home from close range.