Algeria beat South Korea 4-2 to close in on last 16

ALEGRE: Algeria opened the goal scoring floodgates swamping South Korea 4-2 in a thrilling World Cup Group H clash on Sunday that kept hopes of securing a spot in the last 16 alive and triggered celebrations across the Arab nation.

Algeria´s first World Cup victory since 1982 moved them into second place in the group on three points behind Belgium, who beat Russia 1-0 earlier in the day to top the standings on six.

South Korea and Russia, who drew 1-1 in their tournament opener, both have one point.

The only Arab presence in the tournament, the ´Desert Foxes´ have never made it past the first round but are now in pole position to earn a spot in the knockout phase.

Belgium have already booked one of the group´s two slots in the last 16.After seeing a 28-year World Cup goal drought end in a 2-1 loss to Belgium in their opener, the Algerians unleashed a goal scoring spree on the Koreans, Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche and Abdelmoumene Djabou all finding the net in an astonishing first half display of all-out attacking football.

South Korea, however, were not about to throw in the towel and started the second half with an urgency missing at the start, Son Heung-min driving a low shot past Rais Mbolhi to cut the deficit to 3-1.

The Asians continued to press forward and Ki Sung-yeung forced a sensational diving save from Mbolhi with a thundering long range shot.

On the back foot, Algeria took the steam out of the Korean rally when Yacine Brahimi netted on the counter-attack making them the first African team to score four goals in a World Cup match.

The end-to-end action continued, the never-say-die Koreans pulling another one back in 72nd minute when Koo Ja-cheol scored from a scramble in front of the Algerian net to make it 4-2.