Here is a recap of Day 11 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
BELGIUM 1 RUSSIA 0
Belgium advanced to the Round of 16 after a late goal by 19-year-old Divock Origi to give the Red Devils a 1-0 victory over Russia. Once more, Belgium, who were considered a tournament dark horse, were ineffective on the offensive end, but found a late goal. The goal came in dramatic fashion in the 88th minute when Origi completed a Belgium counter sparked by Eden Hazard. Despite the loss, the Russia’s dreams of the round of 16 are still alive heading into their final group stage match against Algeria.
ALGERIA 4 KOREA REPUBLIC 2
Not many people had Algeria in the round of 16, but the Desert Foxes signaled their intent to reach the knockout stage with a 4-2 victory over Korea Republic. The win was Algeria’s first World Cup victory since 1982. Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche and Abdelmoumene Djabou scored to give Algeria a three goal lead heading into the second half. A 50th-minute goal by Son Heung Min sparked a rally for the Asian nation, but Yacine Brahimi’s goal ended Korean hopes. Koo Jacheol tallied late for the Koreans, but it wasn’t enough.
UNITED STATES 2 PORTUGAL 2
Silvestre Varela’s stoppage time equalizer kept Portugal’s hopes of the Round of 16 alive as they clawed out a 2-2 draw with the United States. The U.S. went down in the opening minutes when defender Geoff Cameron's mishit clearance fell for Portuguese winger Nani who slotted a close range shot past Tim Howard. Goals by Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey in the second half gave the U.S. the lead heading into the waning moments, but it was not enough. After a Michael Bradley turnover, Cristiano Ronaldo found Varela who nodded the equalizer past Howard for the tying goal.
Day 11 at the World Cup features four matches with dreams of the Round of 16 on the line. At 9:00 a.m., Australia faces Spain while the Netherlands takes on Chile in the final Group B matches. At 1:00 p.m. PT, Group A action ends as Cameroon faces Brazil while Croatia and Mexico battle with the knockout round on the line.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
