Belgium vs. Algeria World Cup 2014 Live Updates, Score, Results

Belgium vs. Alegeria begins World Cup play on June 17th. Frank’s already in love with this Belgian side and dishes another live blog.

In my experience, Belgium is just a pretty great place in general. It’s clean, great food and drink, tons of old stuff to look at, and now, a football team that’s starting to come into its own.

Belgium is a popular dark horse bet in this tournament and has the quality to go deep in the competition if everything comes together. Of course as we’ve seen over the last few days, that “if” can turn out to be a very tough question to answer for some squads.

Will Belgium show up and push itself into the World Cup spotlight? We’ll soon find out.

Pregame:

Belgium is a -375 favorite here vs. Algeria (+736) with the draw at +564. The Belgians are also favored at -169 to win Group H and are at +2800 to win the entire tournament.

You can get all your Belgium vs. Algeria odds right here, including goal scorers, corners, etc.

As always, your other links of note:

Sports Interaction’s 2014 World Cup Interactive Schedule

Sports Interaction’s World Cup Outright Odds

Sports Interaction’s World Cup Match Odds

Sports Interaction’s Live In-Game Match Betting

Odds update: Belgium up a bit to -380 favorites, which isn’t surprising since we’re seeing 89% of bets on Belgium.

I’m also a major fan of these new Belgium kits. Could be on the shopping list soon.

Also, why doesn’t Algeria’s national anthem get more props? That’s a tight little jam.

So it’s 1-1. Belgium wins in the matchup of kits but Algeria takes the anthem sing-off.

FIRST HALF:

The last time Algeria scored an international goal I was four years old. So there’s that.

Early test for Belgian defence from a free kick but it’s cleared away easily. Looks like Algeria is ready to push the pace, though.

Just about 10 minutes into this one and not much to speak of just yet. Algeria isn’t backing down, that’s for sure, but Belgium is doing a good job holding possession.

So Diego Maradona likes Algeria in this tournament and that’s a prediction you can TAKE TO THE BANK, FOLKS.

Algeria content to back off the ball as soon as Belgium gains possession and then focuses on cutting off crosses and through balls.

20′ – More of the same. Belgium continues to patiently build the ball up through Algeria’s half. The Red Devils haven’t found any strong chances yet but they’re beginning to break Algeria down better at the back. Algeria waits for clear counter-attacking opportunities.

ZORKS! Penalty coming up for Algeria after a collision in the box.

28′ GOAL. 1-0 Algeria.

And just like that the 28-year-old curse is over! Feghouli converts the penalty.

I wasn’t sure at first but that’s a good decision by the referee. Feghouli was clearly grabbed as he tried to get on the end of a cross there.

Now what does Belgium have?

Algeria still +186 underdogs in live betting to win this match after opening the score. #BEL +125. Live betting here.

39′ – Heavy pressure from Belgium after the goal with a few strong shots on goal. Algeria holding tight at the back for now.

Halftime. Algeria 1, Belgium 0.

Can Belgium mount a comeback? Head into the half down 1-0 and as +190 in-match underdogs to Algeria.

SECOND HALF:

Belgium 67% possession, 5 shots on target in the first half. Algeria just the one shot on target.

Now we see what Belgium is all about. This is a team that went undefeated in 10 qualification matches to make it here. Now the Red Devils need to pull it out of the fire.

50′ – Witsel has easily been the most dangerous player on Belgium so far. Had another excellent opportunity with a header in the box but couldn’t keep it under the bar.

57′ – Algeria survives a push from Belgium and comes back with one of its own. A flick just goes wide the Belgium post.

58′ -Wow, Lukaku comes out of the game with Origi coming on. Belgium wants to change the pace of this game immediately.

’62 – Belgium now up to a +331 underdog vs. Algeria -124.

So you might have guessed by now I wasn’t expecting anything like this with my pregame thoughts. Shocked Lukaku was so bad. He had just 18 touches and turned the ball over five times. The Red Devils need much better than that.

70′ – GOAL. Belgium eqaulizes off a set piece. Now 1-1.

That was Marouane Fellain getting his head to it.

Sports Interaction’s 2014 World Cup Interactive Schedule

Sports Interaction’s World Cup Outright Odds

Sports Interaction’s World Cup Match Odds

Sports Interaction’s Live In-Game Match Betting

77′ – All Belgium right now but Algeria’s holding its form at the back.

GOAL BELGIUM.

’80 – Mertens finishes off a beautiful build up by Belgium.

This is the Red Devils squad we were expecting – full of speed and creativity and able to finish chances. However, what does this mean for Lukaku? All this comes after he takes a seat.

88′ – It’s all but done now. Algeria looks frustrated as Belgium holds possession.

FINAL SCORE: Belgium 2, Algeria 1.

Well that was a lot more interesting than I expected to be completely honest. That said, apart from the penalty, Algeria didn’t generate much in the way of possession or chances. That’s probably a good scare for Belgium, a team that hasn’t really been tested seriously in a long time. Maybe that helps this side down the road.