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Attendance: 39,311
Algeria national football team
World Cup | Group Stage
Jun 26, 2014 at 9pm UK
 
Russia national football team

1-1

Slimani (60')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Kokorin (6')

Player Ratings: Algeria 1-1 Russia

Sports Mole assesses who impressed during Algeria's 1-1 draw with Russia at the World Cup finals.

Algeria have qualified for the second round of the World Cup finals for the first time in their history after an Islam Slimani header earned them a 1-1 draw against Russia in Curitiba.

Below, Sports Mole assesses how each player performed for their respective sides in the Group H fixture.


Algeria pose for a team photo prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Algeria and Russia at Arena da Baixada on June 26, 2014© Getty Images

ALGERIA

Goal

Rais M'Bohli: Comfortable evening for the goalkeeper who had no chance with Kokorin's header. Let himself down with some blatant time-wasting midway through the second half. (7/10)

Defence

Aissa Mandi: Poor start after Russia scored from the right full-back position, but recovered well to help his team to the draw. (7/10)

Essaid Belkalem: Brought in as a replacement for Bougherra and did more than enough to keep his place for the Germany game. (7/10)

Rafik Halliche: The former Fulham defender headed almost everything that came his way. Wasn't put under too much pressure in the last quarter of the game. (7/10)

Djamel Mesbah: The Livorno full-back was outfoxed by Kerzhakov several times, but dug in deep to ensure that Russia didn't net a second. Booked. (7/10)

Carl Medjani: Played a key role alongside Halliche in dealing with Kerzhakov and Kokorin. Will need to perform to the same standard against Germany. (8/10)

Midfield

Nabil Bentaleb: The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was an international novice before the start of the tournament, but he has grown into the position in the centre of midfield. A key player in his nation's future. (7/10)

Sofiane Feghouli: Suffered a nasty cut to his head but soldiered on to play an integral part in his side's result. (8/10)

Yacine Brahimi: Algeria's biggest attacking constantly had the Russia full-backs on the back foot. Deservedly picks up the man of the match award. (8/10)

Abdelmoumene Djabou: Worried Russia with his direct running and ability to pick a pass. Was replaced with 13 minutes to go. (8/10)

Attack

Islam Slimani: Always a threat in and around the penalty area, despite the attentions of Ignashevich and Berezutski. Converted an easy chance for his goal. (8/10)

Substitutes

Hassan Yebda: Provided more energy in the final third for a team that had put everything into the first 70 minutes. (6/10)

Nabil Ghilas: Put his side into trouble with a needless foul soon after his introduction. Made one defensive contribution in the closing moments. (6/10)

El Arbi Hillel Soudani: No time to make an impact. (6/10)


Russia pose for a team photo prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Algeria and Russia at Arena da Baixada on June 26, 2014© Getty Images

RUSSIA

Goal

Igor Akinfeev: Solid showing in the first half, but his error led to Algeria's equaliser. Poor tournament for the 28-year-old. (6/10)

Defence

Aleksei Kozlov: Was constantly forced onto the back foot by Algeria's attackers, and the free kick for the goal came from his flank. (6/10)

Sergei Ignashevich: Did everything that was asked from him in Curitiba. Didn't deserve to be on the losing side. (7/10)

Vasili Berezutski: Like his defensive partner, performed solidly in the centre of defence but his hard work was undone by Akinfeev. (7/10)

Dmitri Kombarov: Provided the assist for the goal and got forward on a regular basis. Booked. (7/10)

Midfield

Aleksandr Samedov: Started off brightly as Russia dominated possession but faded as the match wore on. (6/10)

Denis Glushakov: Decent first-half display but was withdrawn at half time, presumably with a knock of some kind. (6/10)

Viktor Fayzulin: Didn't have much influence in the final third until the closing stages of the match. (6/10)

Oleg Shatov: The Zenit St Petersburg midfielder was one of the best players on the pitch in the first half and went close with a long-range effort that drifted past the post. Quiet after the break. (7/10)

Attack

Aleksandr Kerzhakov: Shown his manager why he deserved a place in the starting lineup, but couldn't net his 27th international goal. Was withdrawn late in the second half. (7/10)

Aleksandr Kokorin: Was criticised for missing chances against Belgium, but repaid his manager's faith with a wonderful header in the sixth minute. One for the future. (7/10)

Substitutes

Igor Denisov: Introduced at the break in place of Glushakov, but Russia's performance deteriorated after his arrival. (6/10)

Alan Dzagoev: Sent on midway through the half, but failed to make an impact. Yet to establish himself under Capello. (6/10)

Maksim Kanunnikov: Entered the action with nine minutes remaining but couldn't find a goal for his team. (6/10)


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Russia's defender Vasily Berezutsky (R) heads wht ball past Belgium's midfielder Marouane Fellaini during the Group H football match on June 22, 2014
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

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Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

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Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

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Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

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Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

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Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

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Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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