Algeria Vs. South Korea Recap And Highlights: Three First Half Goals Enough For Emphatic Algeria [VIDEO]

Algeria handily defeated South Korea 4-2 today in an enthralling match that saw Algeria play attractive, attacking football, which they failed to show in their first match against Belgium. The Group H result means that both both teams have it all to play for on June 26 in their final group stage games.

The 'Desert Foxes' started brightly, endangering the Korean goal and possessing the ball confidently. Their first great chance came in the 3rd minute when an apparent penalty was denied and Yacine Brahimi mis-hit the follow up chance from 8 yards out. The Koreans looked a bit shell-shocked at the start of the match, which they were favored to win, but regained their composure after 10 minutes and began putting pressure on the Algerian defense.

After 20 minutes, a wonderful Abdelmoumene Djabou cross found Islam Slimani between the two Korean center backs but the striker looked surprised when the ball reached him and his first touch let him down, and with it the chance went begging. The Algerian pressure paid off on 26 minutes when a seemingly innocuous long ball played from the defense put Slimani in a foot race with the Korean central defenders and his pace and power were only equaled by his deft touch to finish, putting his side deservedly in the lead.

Only two minutes later Algeria doubled their lead when a great corner delivered by Djabou was met with a forceful header by Rafik Halliche. The Koreans will blame their keeper Jung Sung-Ryong who made a terrible attempt to come out and collect. Algeria would add to their lead before halftime with a simple Djabou goal. The Koreans were sixes and sevens at the back and a terrible clearance gave the ball straight to Slimani who put in a clever little pass to Djabou who rolled in an easy finish. The Algerians went into the break full of confidence and up three goals.

Korea came out of the break with nothing to lose and got an early goal only 5 minutes in when Bayer Leverkusen forward Son Heung-min brought down a long ball on his back and put it straight between the legs of Algeria keeper Raïs M'Bohli. The keeper though, made a wonderful save on 60 minutes when a venomous Ki Sung-yueng strike was headed for the back of the net.

The Algerians responded to the Korean pressure with a brilliant team goal finished clinically by Brahimi after an intricate on-two with Slimani. The goal made Algeria the first African team to score four goals in a World Cup match. But the Koreans didn't give up and pulled one back in the 72nd minute when a Lee Keun-ho cross found Koo Ja-Cheol lurking at the back post for an easy tap-in.

The Korean resiliency continued till the end of the match in the form of long balls consistently played towards 6'5" substitute Kim Shin-wook but the Algerian defense would not be cracked again. All three points belong to Algeria who will face Russia on June 26, while the Koreans will need a result against group leaders Belgium on the same day if they wish to keep their World Cup hopes alive.