Belgium - Algeria

Belgium began their campaign against African side Algeria. Belgium were tipped as the dark horses for this tournament. Boasting a squad full of Premier League quality, from Kompany of Man City in defence alongside Spurs’ Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelan missed out on a starting 11 place. In midfield they have Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Tottenhams Moussa Dembele and Nacer Chadli while Man United’s only signing last summer, Maroune Fellaini found himself on the bench alongside Vermaelan. Lukaku leads the line while Benteke missed out on the tournament through injury. They also have highly rated goal keeper Thiburt Courtois just finished winning La Liga and runners up in the Champions League. On the other hand, Algeria possess err... Bentaleb of Spurs, Feghouli of Valencia and Madjid Bougherra, once of Rangers.

The Belgium team line up at kick off.

Despite the obvious gulf in quality, Algeria were not easily overrun and were able to hold their own against the Europeans. In fact, Algeria took an early lead when spurs defender clumsily hauled down his opposition in the box and the referee awarded a penalty to the African nation.

Feghouli calmly dispatched the spot kick, and Belgium now faced a real test. Up to this point they had looked lethargic and uncreative but if they were to win this game something was going to need to change. They persisted until half time before Wilmots made a change, replacing Chadli with speedster Dries Mertens.

With no goals for the chocolate eating Europeans, they took off Chelsea forward, Lukaku and brought on virtually unknown youngster Origi. Wilmots also brought on Fellaini of Manchester United to add a different dimension to their attack. It paid off. Fellaini had his best game of the season, and connected with De Bruyne’s cross and scored with a looping header shortly after coming on. Moyes could be seen seething with anger and lambasting the Belgian in broken, drunken Glaswegian slurs.

Algeria was clearly tiring from their stubborn efforts to keep the Belgian’s at bay, but they could hold out no longer. Premier League’s PFA Young Player of the Year, Eden Hazard collected the ball on the half way line and began to run at the defence. His dribbling and Origi’s off the ball movement sucked two defenders out of position giving Mertens space to break into. Hazard was able to find him and Mertens fired home the winner on 80 minutes. Credit has to go to the Belgian coach who made inspired substitutions who all had positive impacts on the result. Fellaini and Mertens both grabbed a goal while Origi’s pace was a constant threat and a thorn in the Algerian side that Lukaku just didn’t offer. It will be interesting if Origi keeps his place for their next game. His contribution certainly warrants it

Belgium gained a valuable three points and the win will have boosted their confidence even if it did come with an early scare. They will have harder games than this, against stronger sides, but this game gives them the knowledge that they have a good enough squad to make changes if things aren’t going to plan, and the ability and patience to turn things around if they go behind.

 Belgium 2 – 1 Algeria 

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