Belgium 2-1 Algeria: Five Talking Points

Two goals from substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens were enough for the Red Devils, as they overcame a 1-0 deficit to beat Algeria 2-1. For much of the game, Sofiane Feghoulis 24th minute penalty looked to have secured a famous upset victory for Algeria, but it wasnt to be.Here are the five major talking points from the game.

#1 Substitutes make all the difference

Before the start of the game, Belgium coach Marc Wilmots claimed that “no one is guaranteed to start” and also wanted his “substitutes to show the same level of desire as the starters”. True to his word, Wilmots made some changes to his side, none of which seemed to work out well for him.

Dembele and Chadli started instead of Fellaini and Mertens, and neither put on a display that would warrant a start in their second game against Russia. Even the ever-dependable Lukaku, had an off day and was promptly axed just before the hour mark.

Such is the abundance of talent in the Belgium squad that Wilmots was able to change things around completely in the second half.

Mertens came on for the ineffective Chadli at half-time and scored what turned out to be the winner. The much-maligned Fellaini came on and scored within five minutes of his introduction and gave Belgium a ray of light.

But the man who made it all possible was the 19-year-old Lille striker Divock Origi, whose pace and power provided the Belgians with some much needed penetration, something they sorely lacked when Lukaku was on the pitch.

#2 Algeria almost pull off another incredible upset

They might have stunned West Germany in 1982, when they became the first African side to beat a European team in the World Cup, held England to a draw in the 2010 edition, but Algeria came into this clash as undoubted under-dogs.

In fact, some even said that they were just there to make up the numbers and provide undeniable proof that Belgium are the tournament’s dark horses.

But the opening 70 minutes was proof that Algeria will be a tough nut to crack. If not for some sublime substitutions, the Belgians might have just suffered a shock upset.

For 45 minutes after Sofiane Feghouli scored the opener for Algeria from the penalty spot, the entire nation believed. For that was the side’s first World Cup goal in 28 years.

After the goal, the Algerians proceeded to defend deep and with great resolve. They restricted the Red Devils to long range efforts and rarely gave them anything to work with. And it was only two moments of brilliance that gave the European outfit a win, which was not the sort of start they would have expected.

#3 Belgiums patient passing finally pays off

One look at the score line and the possession stats would tell you that this was a comfortable game for Belgium. But, ask any Belgian player who played the game and they would tell you that it was far from comfortable.

In fact, if it wasn’t for Wilmots’ three substitutes, the Red Devils will have finished their first World Cup game in eight years, with the best possession stats in this tournament so far, but a loss next to the results column.

The opening half clearly demonstrated everything that was wrong with the their tactics. They had all of the ball, made some clever passes, but there was next to no movement and so were restricted to pot shots from distance by a stubborn Algerian defence.

As the game wore on, Wilmots’ substitution did the trick as the pace and power provided by both Fellaini and Origi, who were now playing up front, gave Belgium a completely different dimension. The pair provided some movement and a finishing touch to the passing moves, which was lacking in the first half.

#4 Full back is Belgiums Achilles heel yet again

There is no doubt that this is arguably Belgium’s golden generation. They have a squad with some of the best central defenders, midfielders and attackers in this edition of the World Cup. They have variety in attack and can turn things around in defence.

But one area which still remains a cause for concern is at full back, an area which Algeria almost made the most of in their opening clash of the 2014 World Cup.

25-year-old right back Toby Alderweireld didn’t enjoy the greatest of games against Algeria, but it was left back Vertonghen who had a day to forget as it was he who conceded the penalty that led to the opening goal and, was at times, easily beaten by his Algerian counterpart.

On another day, a side better than Algeria might have scored another, which might have made life difficult for the Belgians. For all of their supposed quality elsewhere on the park, if Belgium don’t fix their full back woes, they are unlikely to go too far in the competition.

#5 Is it better to concede first?

If there is one trend that is quickly emerging from this World Cup, it is that, it might not be such a bad thing to let the opponent score first. 6 of the 15 games so far have been won by the side who conceded the opening goal first, so there must be something in that fact.

Especially when the corresponding number in the previous World Cup was just three.

Are teams giving the other a head start only to punch them down in the end? Or are managers getting their team selections wrong and then correcting their mistakes, leading to a winner late on? Or is it just one of those pointless stats that mean nothing?

Only time will tell the answer to all these questions. For now, one thing is for sure that this World Cup has already provided more excitement, entertainment and controversy than the last one in South Africa, which can only be a good thing.