Group H

Belgium (2-1) Algeria

Belgium vs. Algeria: Lopsided Victory, or Upset Waiting to Happen? (UPDATE: Algeria Scores, But Loses)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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Mbo Mpenza (L) of Belgium is tackled by Rafik Saifi (R) of Algeria during their friendly match at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, May 14, 2002. Belgium played Algeria in preparation for the South-Korea/Japan World Cup in June this year. (Reuters | Yves Herman).
Mbo Mpenza (L) of Belgium is tackled by Rafik Saifi (R) of Algeria during their friendly match at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, May 14, 2002. Belgium played Algeria in preparation for the South-Korea/Japan World Cup in June this year. (Reuters | Yves Herman)

On paper, the winner of this Group H match seems clear: Algeria hasn’t scored a World Cup goal since 1986, while Belgium saved nearly 90 percent of shots during their qualifying matches. Belgium is ranked higher than Algeria. And in their last two matches, Belgium has beaten and tied Algeria. Given these stats, it’s easy to say that Belgium is the favorite.

But if there’s one thing that’s certain at the World Cup, it’s that anything can happen (just ask Costa Rica). Could this game be an upset in the making? Tune in today at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC) to find out.

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And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

1, 2, 3 – Viva L’Algerie!

By Darina Markozashvili   |

With stars such as Islam Slimani, Madjid Bougherra, Sofiane Feghouli, and Medhi Lacen, Les Fennecs – Algeria’s football team – are hoping for victory in their fourth World Cup appearance.

During our visit to the Embassy of Algeria to the United States, His Excellency, the Ambassador Abdallah Baali, shared some of his favorite World Cup moments:

“Algeria has a great tradition of playing high quality football. One of my favorite football memories comes from 1982 World Cup in Spain, where Algeria beat West Germany 2-1 in their opening game; that was a great game. Another favorite football memory has to be 1975, when Algeria defeated France 2-1, in the Mediterranean finals.”

Of course, being the big football fan he is, the Ambassador had to pass along his well wishes to Les Fennecs with the traditional Algerian cheer: “1,2, 3 – Viva L’Algerie!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy5wbSI4f0Y

See Les Fennecs face Belgium on June 17, Republic of Korea on June 22, and Russia on June 26th. And keep up with all the latest World Cup news here at VOAFootball.com, and on Facebook and Twitter.