Algeria progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in their history as Islam Slimani’s second-half header was enough to earn them a 1-1 draw against Russia in Curitiba.
Alexander Kokorin had put the Russians in front after just six minutes with an accurate header into the top corner.
However, Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev’s nightmare tournament continued when he tried to claim Yacine Brahimi’s free kick on the hour mark and missed the ball completely, allowing Slimani the easiest of tasks to nod home his second goal of the tournament.
However, television replays showed the CSKA Moscow ‘keeper may have been distracted by a green laser pen being shone in his eye seconds before the goal was scored.
