WC MOTD Preview: Belgium V Algeria

By on June 17, 2014

Venue: Estadio Minerao, Belo Horizonte

KO Time: 17:00

The World Cup is well under way and we are moving to the latter stages of the first round of group stage matches, but what a start it has been. Matches thus far have been averaging an extraordinary 3.36 goals per game this is almost 3 times that of the World Cup in South Africa 4 years ago, I’m not alone in saying I hope it continues!

And they’re the team most are talking about and everyone wants to see, so will Belgium live up to the expectations and hype that the international media have piled upon them? Can they’re ‘golden generation’ perform? Only time will tell, but I think they will. Belgium won all three of their World Cup warm up friendlies against respected minnows Luxembourg as well as Sweden and African side Tunisia, scoring eight goals in the process and only conceding one. The Red Devils had a fantastic qualifying campaign, remaining undefeated through the whole qualifying period. Manager Marc Wilmots has a huge part to play in the success of the Belgium squad, thus far encouraging them too play more like a team and less as individuals. It seems to be working, with a number of eye catching performances. Belgium’s direct approach combined with an element of free-flowing attacking football has certainly impressed many experts across world football and many consider them too be the ‘dark horses’ of the competition, although if Belgium did win the tournament it would not be a huge surprise as they definitely contain the squad to do so. The Red Devils have talent in abundance and every player will play some part in what will be Belgium’s first World Cup in twelve years, having previously been eliminated from the round of sixteen in Korea-Japan in 2002.

Although most attention will be focused on the Red Devils, opponents Algeria will look to spring a surprise or two when the nations meet in the Estadio Mineirao.  Manager Vahid Halilhodzic has had a relatively successful reign since joining Algeria back in 2011, guiding them to top of their group in CAF World Cup qualifying, where they won five of their six games. Then they went onto defeat Burkina Faso when captain Bougherra scored the solitary goal to win on away goals after Algeria where defeated 3-2 in the reverse fixture in Burkina, and this victory then meant Algeria had successfully qualified for World Cup 2014. Forwards Nabil Ghilas and Islam Slimani are sure to provide a headache for the experienced Belgium defense, with the latter picking up six goals in qualification. However, Algeria’s own defense, which contains experienced defenders Carl Medjani and former Rangers man Madjid Bougherra, let in seven goals in qualifying and will need to be at their very best to contain the Belgium front line, which includes players such as Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne. It’s no secret that the Belgium team possess more talent than that of Halilhodzic’s side but the manager has revamped the Algerian national team, rejuvenating them and bringing in a host of new and different ideas.

Although this fixture looks like it has a pretty clear winner don’t be surprised if Algeria pull off the unexpected and pick up one point or maybe even three against a star studded Belgium side.

Prediction: Belgium 3-1 Algeria

About Callum Kenwright

Evertonian. Angler. Oasis. Spanish Football. Aspiring Football Journalist.