The North Bank Evening Standard [TNBES]: World Cup 2014: Algeria ends opener with a loss

Feghouli scores a penalty to end Algeria's goal drought at the World Cup but loss 2-1 to Belgium (Photo: Getty Images)

It may have taken Algeria 28 years to score a goal in the World Cup but Tuesday's record has been somewhat soiled by defeat to group H opponents, Belgium.

The Desert Foxes forward Sofiane Feghouli fired home a penalty after winning a foul against Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen just 24 minutes into the game.

Feghouli's goal at the Estadio Muneirao in Belo Horizonte is Algeria's first goal since the 1986 finals in Mexico.

But trailing Belgium ensured a come-back through goals from Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens.

Fellaini celebrates equaliser in crucial come-back against Algeria on Tuesday (Photo: Getty Images)

The Manchester United midfielder came off the bench and head home a Kevin de Bruyne cross in the 70th minute to put the score level at 1-1, before Mertens blast an Eden Hazard pass into the Algerian post.

Later in the day, Russia and South Korea drew 1-1 in the last World Cup opener at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba.

Algeria's second match is against Korea at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre on Sunday, June 22. Group H rivals Russia will play Belgium the same day at the Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
African opening games has been the least encouraging with Ivory Coast the only African side to win its opening game in a 2-1 defeat over Japan.

Written by Modou S. Joof