Algeria found themselves in a must-win situation against South Korea on Sunday, and they delivered.
Three first-half goals over a 13-minute span gave Algeria a 3-0 lead going into halftime. The Algerians were able to withstand a late South Korea push to win 4-2 and earn their first three points of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Algeria started the scoring in the 26th minute when Islam Slimani put the ball in the back of the net and pulled off his own Johnny Manziel money dance.
Just two minutes later, Algeria struck again when Rafik Halliche converted on a corner to give Algeria a 2-0 lead.
In the 38th minute, Abdelmoumene Djabou received a pass near the top of the box and beat the Korean goalkeeper, Jung Sung-Ryong, for Algeria’s third goal.
The Koreans cut the lead to 3-1 off a Son Heung-Min goal in the 50th minute, but Algeria answered 12 minutes later when Yacine Brahimi scored to make it 4-1 in favor of Algeria.
The Koreans would make it 4-2 in the 72nd minute when Koo Ja-Cheol scored, but it wasn’t enough as the Algerians held on for the win.
Algeria now sits in second place behind Belgium in Group H with three points. Meanwhile, South Korea is tied with Russia at the bottom of the group with one point.
Algeria plays Russia on Thursday and can advance to the Round of 16 for the first time in its World Cup history with a win.
