Decisive Origi blasts Belgium through
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E-mail Xinhua, June 23, 2014
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Belgium booked their place in the knock-out stages of the World Cup after second-half substitute Divock Origi secured a 1-0 win over Russia at the Maracana Stadium. |
The 19-year-old forward Divock Origi, who came off the bench in the second half, scored a late goal to help Belgium sink Russia 1-0 in World Cup Group H on Sunday.
With two wins, Belgium booked a last-16 berth from the group which also contains Russia, South Korea and Algeria. In the first round, Belgium came from behind to beat Algeria 2-1, and Russia rallied to tie South Korea 1-1.
On 88 minutes of the lackluster game, Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard ran down the left and broke the Russian defense, sliding the ball to the 19-year-old. The Lille forward kept his cool and sidefooted into the roof of the net from close range.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots told the press conference that Origi has great "potentials" and can "make difference" in a match.
"Few people knew Origi well, but I know his ability and he really did what I expected," Wilmots said.
Besides the key assist, Hazard's sharp breakthroughs in the last 10 minutes and a freekick hitting the pole awoke the fans at the scene. Hazard was voted the Man of the Match.
Hazard said after the match, "I feel fit and in good shape today. We still have a match to go, and we will try three wins."
Both Belgium and Russia made a few changes from their opening games. Thomas Vermaelen, Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens all started for Belgium, and Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele and Nacer Chadli make way. For Russia, Alexey Kozlov and Maxim Kannunnikov started in place of Yury Zhirkov and Andrey Eschenko, who dropped to the bench.
Arsenal defender Vermaelen, who appeared to suffer an injury to his knee, was replaced by Tottenham defender Vertonghen in the 31st minute.
Wilmots said, "Unfortunately, I lost one of my key players today."
Belgium's first chance came in the 37th minute when De Bruyne played a lofted ball in behind the Russian defense, finding Mertens who cut inside and shot towards goal. However, Russia keeper Igor Akinfeev parried with firm hands away from danger.
Russia's best chance came on 44 minutes when Denis Glushakov galloped down the Russian left and curled a superb ball into the box. Forward Alexander Kokorin darted between the two Belgian central defenders and was left with a wonderful opportunity to open the scoring. He nodded wide, to the frustration of his teammates.
It's been a fairly even game, but Belgium are in the ascendancy thanks to some tricky wingplay.
In the 57th minute, Origi came off the bench to replace Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku spent last season on loan at Everton from Chelsea, made way for Origi for the second time this World Cup.
This substitution became the turning point of the game.
In the last 10 minutes, Belgium unleashed several flash counterattacks and collected one goal.
Wilmots said,"In the last 10 minutes, Russians were tired. I noticed this and fielded in fresh players."
Hazard said,"The Russian defense line was tired in the last 10 minutes and we got more space to change the game."
But Russia coach Fabio Capello from Italy said,"I feel I would win. But when we were going to the mid field and creating chances near the box, the opponents staged effective counterattacks and scored."
"I am confident of beating Algeria in the next match," Capello noted.
At their last World Cup encounter in 2002, Belgium beat Russia 3-2 in the group phase. Daniel Van Buyten was in the starting line-up for Belgium and Aleksandr Kerzhakov came on as a substitute for Russia. Current Belgium coach Marc Wilmots also played in that match and scored the third goal.
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