Algeria can look forward to the last-16 of the World Cup for the first time in their history after what coach Vahid Halilhodzic called a “heroic” display against Russia.
Algeria secured a 1-1 draw with Russia in Curitiba as Islam Slimani levelled after Aleksandr Kokorin’s early strike, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Germany.
That match offers Algeria a chance at redemption 32 years on from West Germany’s controversial win over Austria, which allowed both countries to advance at World Cup 1982 at their expense.
That game, nicknamed the ‘Disgrace in Gijon’, is the reason final group matches now take place simultaneously and coach Halilhodzic knows all about that tournament, when Algeria shocked their European counterparts by beating them 2-1.
“We have not forgotten,” Halilhodzic said.
“Everybody has been talking about Algeria and Germany from 1982, when Algeria beat Germany 2-1, but 32 years ago is a long time ago.
“I am very proud of what we have achieved and we deserve to be here. I think Algeria played a heroic match and our qualification for the second round is perfectly deserved.
“We are very, very proud of what we have done these past three years and this is the result of that.
“This is a gift for us, but a gift we went to get. We went for success with generosity, enthusiasm and discipline and I love it when I see my team fighting like this for a result.”
Meanwhile, Algerian fans turned their capital into a frenzy of fireworks, chants and dancing on Thursday night to celebrate their team’s passage into the last 16 for the first time.
Draped in Algeria’s green and white flags, fans packed downtown Algiers watching their team play Russia on a large screen near the historic Grande Poste among the city’s white-washed colonial buildings.
The point secured second-place behind Belgium in Group H and Algiers erupted into an explosion of fireworks, car horns, singing and chants of “1, 2, 3 Viva L’Algerie”.
“What a pleasure to go through. It’s our first time, we are representing all Arabs and Muslims,” said Hassan Saheb, discussing Algeria’s progress to the tournament’s knockout stages with neighbours yesterday.
“Germany will be difficult. For us, I think we have a 10 per cent chance against them. If we beat Germany though it will be a miracle.”