World Cup Daily Recap: US ties Portugal in Day 11 thriller

Day 11 of the World Cup. Just short of heaven.

Here’s how it all shook out:

Belgium 1-0 Russia | Full Recap

Russia took it to Belgium for large stretches of this one but couldn’t ever capitalize, paying the price when Divock Origi scored in the 88^th minute to give Belgium a 1-0 lead.

The result clinched a spot in the Knockout Round for Belgium. The Red Devils will secure a first place finish in Group H with a tie or win against South Korea in their Group Stage finale next Thursday. Russia has some serious work to do if they’re to get out of the group; they’ll need to beat Algeria on Thursday in their Group H finale and hope South Korea either loses or ties or wins and fails to make up goal difference on Russia.

Algeria 4-2 South Korea | Full Recap

Algeria put the hurt on South Korea in this one, racing out to a 3-0 first half lead en route to a 4-2 thrashing of the Asian side in Group H play.

Islam Slimani was the star for the Desert Foxes, scoring and adding an assist to propel the African nation to victory. Slimani opened the scoring in the 26^th minute, starting a first half fury that saw Algeria score a second in the 28^th and a third in the 38^th.

South Korea made it briefly interesting at the start of the second half, scoring in the 50^th minute to make it 3-1. But Algeria put things definitively out of reach in the 62^nd, when Yacine Brahimi scored to make it 4-1 to the Foxes. Korea pulled a consolation goal back in the 72^nd to make it 4-2.

Algeria now sits in a good position to advance out of Group H, currently in second place in the group with three points. They need only a result against Russia on Thursday in order to qualify for the Knockout Stage. Korea is in a much more dire position, needing a win over group leaders Belgium and some help from Russia and Algeria in order to move onto the tournament’s next phase.

Portugal 2-2 US | Full Recap

We wrote about this one at length here, so we’ll spare you another rehashing.

Of note for RSL fans: Kyle Beckerman started and put in another great full 90 for the Americans in this one.