catalyst2 | Game # 15 - Belgium vs Algeria

Given the intense hype that Belgium came into this competition with, you might be forgiven for thinking this would be a walk over. Even though Belgium did eventually win 2-1, this never an easy game for them. Indeed, until the two subs came on (both of whom scored a goal), Belgium was definitely looking a bit lackluster. It was Algeria who scored first (from a penalty, admittedly) but it was them who were full of running and enterprise for very long patches of the first half and Belgium looked shaky. With the introduction of Mertens and Fellaini, Belgium woke up and scored, the first from Fellaini just 5 minutes after coming on and then from Mertens just ten minutes from the end of the game.