Algeria through but Russia’s Akinfeev distracted by laser for Slimani goal

Algeria have done it. For the first time in their history they have reached the knock out phase of the World Cup, where they will face the team that denied them that opportunity thirty-two years and one day ago. But their moment of triumph was marred by controversy, with Russia’s goalkeeper, Igor Akinfeev, distracted by a green laser pen shone in his face when Islam Slimani scored the crucial goal.

At the end, hearts were in mouths, and as time ran down Algeria were desperate for the referee to blow the final whistle. When he did, their players ran on to the pitch, leaping and bounding and embracing. What a moment this was. They set off on a lap of honour, flags waving.

This was a play-off, a knockout round to decide who reached the knockout round and Algeria progressed, thanks to a thanks to a 1-1 draw secured by Slimani. That they had always known that thee advantage was theirs, a draw always likely to be sufficient unless South Korea did something extraordinary 420 kilometres away in São Paulo, did not diminish the joy. Not when they fell behind after five minutes and stayed there for an hour; not as the equaliser put them through but left them on a knife edge.

Algeria’s manager, Vahid Hililhodzic, had declared “this could be historic” and so it was. They had only been on the verge of the knock out stages once before, when Hililhodzic was a player for Yugoslavia. West Germany and Austria infamously fixed their game to both go through and eliminated Algeria from the 1982 World Cup. It is Germany who awaited the winners here and while it ended a draw, the winners were Algeria.

Russia took the lead after just five minutes. Oleg Shatov delivered a wonderful first time cross from the left and Alexander Kokorin leapt straight and high to the left of the penalty spot to head into the top corner. It was a wonderfully simple goal, perfectly executed. It may also have been assisted by the absence of Sofiane Feghouli, who was off the pitch have a bandage put on his bleeding head. It was a bandage that had to be reapplied later, much as he and his manager insisted on continuing.

From Algeria through, it was now Russia who were through, and the game was opening up. It was becoming entertaining too, a match that was swift and direct, the ball moved rapidly and with a sense of urgency. That might not have surprised from Algeria, but the transformation in Russia was striking. A lovely run from Denis Glushakov was eventually shut down, Kokorin had another header, this time sending it wide, and Shatov hit a swerving shot that evaded the far post.

At the other end Islam Slimani appealed for a penalty for a tug, kneeling on the turf arms raised and better chances came with two headers. The first was brilliantly pushed away from the top corner by Akinfeev; the second offered the goalkeeper the chance to make a far simpler save.

Russia almost extended their lead at the start of the second half and it would have been a superb goal. Alexander Samedov dashed forward, exchanged first-time passes with Victor Fayzulin, then with Kokorin, and sprinted towards goal, past Rafik Halliche and beyond the defence. Rais M’Bolhi was out quickly and blocked the shot with his chest. Next it was Kerzhakov who was running at them, his deflected shot looping over the bar. This was becoming a feature; Russia could see the space opening in front of them.

For Algeria, the target remained Slimani in the air and the avenue to him were the wings. Feghouli and Aissa Mandi tried to create one chance which he could not quite reach. Then Yacine Brahimi’s free kick found him at the far post. His header forced a save from Akinfeev but he had pushed on his way up. The foul that had led to the free kick was as cynical as it was obvious. Kombarov committed it and was booked; almost immediately after Kozlov did the same, this time on the other side. And this time it was decisive.

Abdelmoumeme Djabou took it. The delivery was perfect, the keeper’s timing poor and Slimani headed in. The goalkeeper complained of a laser that had been directed at his face from the stands while the stadium erupted and smoke billowed out. Around five thousand Algerians had come, their travel subsidised, and they were making a lot of noise. In the din, Slimani kissed the turf. Now it was Algeria going through at last.

Not that they were safe yet. There were nerves when Fayzulin’s shot was momentarily lost by M’Bolhi and he saved sharply from Kerzhakov. The whistles rose every time Russia advanced. Algeria retreated and the pressure was constant but real chances were few and when Aleksei Kozlov’s header faded just wide, the game was over and the party began. It has been a long time coming.