Summary

  • Watch the match again using the live coverage tab

  • Sub Fellaini inspires Belgium comeback

  • Vertonghen earlier conceded penalty

  • Opening Group H match

  • Game played in Belo Horizonte

  1. Postpublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Time for me to bid farewell. We have seen almost everyone, apart from Russia and South Korea who play later, in the 2014 World Cup and now it is time to have another squint at host nation Brazil.

    The Selecao take on Group A rivals Mexico in Fortaleza shortly and our live text commentary is already up and running. Make sure you head straight over there now - no excuses. See you later!

  2. Postpublished at 19:07 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Manchester United fans will be wondering whey they haven't seen Marouane Fellaini in that sort of form since his £27.5million move to Old Trafford. That was his first goal since scoring for Everton against Stevenage in a Capital One Cup match in August. From Broadhall Way to Belo Horizonte - quite a journey.

  3. Join the debate at #bbcworldcuppublished at 19:04 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Chris:, external This is the World Cup of teams coming from behind to win.

    Matt:, external Manchester United should play Fellaini in the right position. Never a holding midfielder.

    Gauthier:, external Wow - that wasn't the most comforting performance. Inspired substitutions though Mr. Wilmots!

  4. Postpublished at 19:04 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Presuming Belgium do reach the knockout stage, then they should feel the benefit of not having to sit on a plane or coach as long as their potential rivals. The Red Devils have 1,232 miles to cover during the group stage - the least of all the World Cup nations.

  5. Postpublished at 19:02 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Former England defender Danny Mills
    BBC Radio 5 live

    "It was a massive win for Belgium. My only concern is centre forward wise, do they have one to fire them to the semi-final? I'm not sure they do."

  6. Lies, damned lies and statisticspublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Belgium v Algeria
  7. Postpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Belgium v Algeria - Marouane FellainiImage source, Reuters

    Manchester United fans (and supporters of anyone else), do you fancy checking out this Fellaini character? Then tap the 'Highlights' tab at the top of this page to watch all the must-see moments, in which he features prominently, from the opening Group H game.

  8. Join the debate at #bbcworldcuppublished at 18:54 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Gary Lineker
    BBC Sport

    "Manchester United should sign the Marouane Fellaini that plays for Belgium."

  9. Postpublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Former England defender Danny Mills
    BBC Radio 5 live

    "In all fairness to Belgium manager Marc Wilmots, he made changes at half time and soon after and Dries Mertens has been inspirational. When Fallaini scored there was only going to be one winner.

    "Massive relief for Belgium. They were poor for an hour and if they are going to go on and progress they are going to have to learn from this."

  10. FULL-TIMEpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    And it is all over! It wasn't pretty but Belgium got the job done in the end. Red Devils boss Marc Wilmots makes a winning start thanks to two inspired substitutions - replacements Marouane Fellaini and Dries Martens doing the damage. His ashen-faced Algerian counterpart Vahid Halilhodzic can't bring himself to move from his place in the dugout. He looks like a broken man. Chin up pal, you've got two more games to go.

  11. INJURY TIMEpublished at 18:49 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel creates a nuisance of himself as he tries to keep the ball close to the Algeria corner flag. Algeria win a free-kick and then bomb forward to get one last chance. The North Africans fire a long throw into the danger-zone which is met by the towering Belgian defence.

  12. INJURY TIMEpublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Three minutes of stoppage time for Algeria to hit back. Can't see that happening.

    Algeria's Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic gestures after his team lost 1-2Image source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 18:47 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Aston Villa's injured Belgium striker Christian Benteke on Twitter:, external Drieeeeessssss!!!!

  14. Postpublished at 18:47 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Belgium win a free-kick just inside their own half - but they are in no hurry to take it. Vincent Kompany pumps forward the set-piece as the clocks ticks down on Algeria's hopes of causing an upset.

  15. Postpublished at 18:45 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Those noisy Algerian fans inside the Estadio Mineirao have suddenly lost their voices, but they can take great heart from their team's performance. However, the Desert Foxes almost concede a third. They are lucky to escape as Marouane Fellaini loses his footing just as he looks set to stab in from close range.

  16. Postpublished at 18:42 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Former England defender Danny Mills
    BBC Radio 5 live

    "Algeria are completely deflated. They have worked their socks off, they are trying to attack but there is no organisation now.

    "Dries Mertens has made all the difference with his play. He has ran at people and put in some really good crosses."

  17. Join the debate at #bbcworldcuppublished at 18:41 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Matthew:, external People criticising Belgium are being made to eat their words. Matches constantly being turned around at this World Cup.

    John:, external I feel so sorry for Algeria. Courageously played, but the carrot of getting a winner led to the turnover. Redemption for Marouane Fellaini!

    Tamim:, external Marc Wilmots with a touch of substitutional genius, Divock Origi to score and complete the hat-trick.

  18. GREAT SAVE!published at 18:41 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    The Belgians are sensing blood now. A dangerous cross is whipped in from the right, finding the sizable head of Marouane Fellaini. The Manchester United man powers a header at the Algeria goal, but keeper Rais Mbolhi shows the reactions of a cat to tip over the crossbar.

  19. Postpublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Former England defender Danny Mills
    BBC Radio 5 live

    "The first time Algeria have been caught on the counter attack. Really dramatic finish and suddenly we saw what Belgium can do. When teams attack them and they can get in behind, brilliant. They have got out of jail here."

  20. GOALpublished at 18:35 British Summer Time 17 June 2014

    Now that fightback is complete. Dries Mertens almost breaks the back of the Algeria net with a thunderous second for the Belgians. The Napoli man scampers clear to latch on to Eden Hazard's incisive pass which scythed through the opposition defence like a hot poker stick through a block of ice. Then Martens keeps his cool to spark wild celebrations near the corner flag.

    Dries Mertens shoots to score against Algeria's goalkeeper Rais MbohliImage source, Getty Images