WC 2010: Algeria 0-1 Slovenia

Algeria 0-1 Slovenia - Line-ups & Stats
World Cup Results & Standings

Slovenia defeated Algeria 1-0 in the World Cup 2010 to jump to the pinnacle of Group C with a crucial three points to their name after their first match. The North Africans were reduced to ten men in the second-half and were quickly made to regret it.

Both sides came into this game knowing that a win would put them in pole position in the group following England's 1-1 stalemate with the USA yesterday in Group C.

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane had dropped Yazid Mansouri, so Antar Yahia took over the captain's armband. Meanwhile, as expected Milivoje Novakovic was the focal point in attack for the Europeans.

It was a rather tentative start by both teams as the midfield remained very compact and players found little space to manoeuvre, but Andraz Kirm's set-piece had the African's backline scrambling before Faouzi Chaouchi bailed them out by coming off his line.

Striker Rafik Djebbour had seen little of the ball, but the Algerian committed a foul by elbowing centre-back Marko Suler in the face. There was no card given as it seemed accidental when both players were fighting for a corner.

Another free-kick caused trouble for Slovenia, but Bostjan Cesar did well to maintain composure in the centre of the penalty area and clear for a corner. Algeria were now on the front foot and Karim Ziani's corner was headed just wide by Rafik Halliche.

Just on the verge of half-time, Robert Koren's brilliant dipping volley needed a miraculous save from Chaouchi as it remained 0-0 after 45 minutes.

Slovenia made a change up front early in the second-half, replacing the ineffective Dedic with Zlatan Ljubiankic, the Gent player earning his fifth cap for his country.

A good interchange between Hassan Yebda and Ziani resulted in the former trying his luck from just outside the D, but it was a straight-forward save for Handanovic.

With an hour gone, Kirm failed to take advantage of a fortunate bounce in the area. The ball rolled in his direction, but his curling shot from 10 yards was too close to the goalkeeper. Soon after, Madjid Bougherra made a firm sliding challenge on Novakovic that had the Slovenians asking for a penalty to no avail.

Substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal's header was over the bar in one of few openings for the Africans in the second-half.

Ghezzal was foolishly sent off. Trying to control a long ball, he stuck out an arm deliberately and it was his second booking, leaving Algeria with ten men for the remaining 20 minutes.

Handanovic's pass almost let Ziani open the scoring. The goalkeeper's weak pass to his defender was intercepted, but the Udinese man recovered to pounce on the ball ahead of the midfielder.

The Europeans found the advantage through Koren. Their captain's shot from outside the area curled into the bottom corner, but it was a soft goal conceded by Chaouchi, who let the ball squeeze just inside the post.

Slovenia, who had a very impressive defensive record in qualifying, had few problems holding out for the victory in the final ten minutes and celebrated as they jumped ahead of England and USA in the group standings and earned their first ever World Cup win.