A lacklustre performance from Belgium was rescued with two goals in the last 20 minutes as Marc Wilmots’ side defeated Algeria 2-1 in the Group H opener in Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte. Algeria took the lead through a Sofiane Feghouli penalty after Jan Vertonghen hauled down the Valencia talisman. Marouane Fellaini was brought on and instantly powered home a header, before a Dries Mertens strike broke Algerian hearts.
Belgium manager Marc Wilmots started with Romelu Lukaku up-front, with seven of their Premier League stars in the starting XI. Algeria gave Nabil Bentaleb a first World Cup start in the heart of the midfield.
Belgium started off slowly and despite penning Algeria back in their own half, Wilmots’ side failed to break down the rearguard and were largely frustrated at times.
With the likes of Lukaku and Hazard seemingly isolated, Algeria were doing their jobs sufficiently and limiting the European side to any clear-cut chances.
Against the run of play, Belgium were stunned when a rapid Algeria counter-attack saw a lovely cross from the right make its way to Feghouli, who was pulled back by Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen. The referee pointed to the spot and issued the makeshift left-back a yellow card.
Feghouli took the penalty himself and stroked home the spot-kick on 25 minutes to give Algeria a shock lead.
Wilmots hauled off Lukaku shortly after the break, while he brought on Fellaini and Mertens shortly after with the latter proving the difference initially.
A Kevin De Bruyne swinging cross found the head of Fellaini on 70 minutes with the Manchester United man powering home a leveller to finally settle Belgian nerves.
Before Algeria could find their bearings, the European side struck again just 10 minutes later to take the lead.
A swift counter-attack saw Hazard maruad down the left-hand side before slotting a pass to Mertens who was powering down the right. The Napoli man took once touch, before lashing home a winner to break Algerian hearts.
Fellaini came close to adding a third, but the two goals were enough to snatch the three points in what was otherwise a disappointing performance from Belgium.
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