Belgium Survive World Cup Scare As They Beat Algeria

Belgium have a pretty big task on their hands. In the year before the 2014 World Cup arrived they were many people's 'team to watch', so much so, that they are in fact no longer perceived as a dark horse of the tournament. After nearly a week of World Cup action, today they faced minnows Algeria in their opening World Cup clash. The world were watching, with many predicting them as possible World Cup winners. Belgium felt the pressure and nearly slipped up, but they didn't.

Algeria started brightly, whilst Belgium appeared nervous, perhaps because of the pre-World Cup predictions. A clumsy defensive error gave Algeria an early penalty kick, in which they easily converted. Belgium spent the rest of the match trying to play their way in to contention against the stubborn, defensive Algeria. A late spiralled header from Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini tied the game, and with a little bit of time left on the clock, it looked like Belgium could still win the game.

A late Dries Mertens goal ensured their quick counter-attack caught Algeria off guard, and that they got the win they needed. With 3 points in their opening game, and a relatively easy group, Belgium should now be able to play freely, without pressure, and go on to fulfil what many people have claimed they're destined to do, and be a success at the 2014 World Cup.

Can Belgium win the World Cup, or would an appearance in the quarter-finals be a huge accomplishment for their up and coming squad?