Belgium vs Algeria 17:00 (ITV, RTE)

Seaneh

Vs
Vincent Kompany's band of superstars take on North African upstarts Algeria led by Madjid Bougherra.

I expect Saphir Taïder to shine for Algeria in this one and surprise a few people.

Belgium to win, but it won't be a walk in the park for them.

Francie Barrett

Belgium starting XI: Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany (c), Vertonghen, Witsel, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Hazard, Van Buyten, Dembele, Chadli.

Algeria starting XI: Mbolhi, Bougherra (c), Ghoulam, Halliche, Feghouli, Medjani, Bentaleb, Soudani, Taider, Mahrez, Mostefa.

Moneymaker

I really do wonder what Mertens has to do to get a start.

Pudsy33

Looking forward to seeing if Belgium live up to the hype

pickarooney

A tedious 1-0 win for Belgium

efb

I can smell the hemp

Panthro

Dunphy's attempt at pronouncing Lukaku was hilarious.
Look-a-loo!

Francie Barrett

Really looking forward to this one. Unlike the Iran mess last night, both teams will get the ball down and play some decent stuff. Big test for the Belgians, will they be able to defy the political tensions at home and play as a cohesive unit?

fuzzydunlop85

Fellani dropped or injured ?

fuzzydunlop85

fuzzydunlop85 wrote: »

Fellani dropped or injured ?

Bench.

fuzzydunlop85

Sacramento wrote: »

Bench.

Hmm many united fans saying he's an integral part of the Belgium team and give him a chance at the world cup. Must be talking rubbish then !

GreNoLi

Algeria to shock the 5th favourites.

shrewdness

"I don't call scores Bill, if I did I'd be sitting on a yacht in the Mediterranean!"

gandalf

fuzzydunlop85 wrote: »

Hmm many united fans saying he's an integral part of the Belgium team and give him a chance at the world cup. Must be talking rubbish then !

Ah leave them alone they've had a tough year

TBH he was hyped up beyond his skills by the whole of the tabloid press in the UK just before he signed for United.

Pudsy33

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Looking forward to seeing if Belgium live up to the hype

Big time. If they are to set down a marker and prove they are contenders, now is the time to do it.

Francie Barrett

In fairness, it's very hard to get into that team. Even with Benteke injured, you've also got the likes of Vermalen, Mertens, Defour, Januzaj, Mirallas on the bench.

fuzzydunlop85

fuzzydunlop85 wrote: »

Hmm many united fans saying he's an integral part of the Belgium team and give him a chance at the world cup. Must be talking rubbish then !

Is that the only reason you were asking about him? He was integral in the Belgium team that qualified top of their group for this world cup. But sure judge him for not starting today...

rob316

Surely Mirallas would be ahead of Chadli, one had a great season the other looks a pure waste of money.

thelad95

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Really looking forward to this one. Unlike the Iran mess last night, both teams will get the ball down and play some decent stuff. Big test for the Belgians, will they be able to defy the political tensions at home and play as a cohesive unit?

This is the key problem with Belgium, there is no 'Belgian identity' as such. In a way it would be like combining Dublin and Meath to play in the All-Ireland Championship. Would players and supporters be bothered?

fuzzydunlop85

Sacramento wrote: »

Is that the only reason you were asking about him? He was integral in the Belgium team that qualified top of their group for this world cup. But sure judge him for not starting today...

I'm a united fan, want him to do well but just can't see it happening. Thought he would be starting today.

mike65

Peter Collins with some commentary gold just there...

DildoFaggins

Chadli is fairly good for Belgium wouldn't call him bad he's improved a lot.
Hes fantastic in the 10. role.

Lightbulb Sun

Some good players on the Belgium bench.

Angron

Lightbulb Sun wrote: »

Some good players on the Belgium bench.

Aye, it's quite a strong squad. That being said, hearing they are 5th favourites to win the tournament does surprise me a bit.

Pringle12345

Feghouli is a nice player. Expect him to move if he has a good world cup

Boom__Boom

Game really hasnt got going yet.

Agueroooo

Fellaini injured?

greendom

Algeria are to France what Ireland are to England. The vast majority of their players have been brought up the the French academies and youth football system.

Boom__Boom

mike65 wrote: »

Peter Collins with some commentary gold just there...

Dunphy managed to pronoue Lukaku with Lu-cuckoo early. Gem.

Fowler87

Pringle12345 wrote: »

Feghouli is a nice player. Expect him to move if he has a good world cup

Valencia have come into money so can't see that happening

Ormus

How's Bentaleb playing? Be interesting to see how he gets on.

Oat23

This game is going to be boring as sh*t if Algeria play like this.

I bet on Algeria so It'd be nice if they tried to attack occasionally.

Boom__Boom

greendom wrote: »

Algeria are to France what Ireland are to England. The vast majority of their players have been brought up the the French academies and youth football system.

They had their own bloody war of independence and all....(Algeria from France)

Maximus Alexander

At work so can't watch, but according to FIFA.com 17 minutes gone and zero shots? Here I was worrying I was missing an entertaining match! :eek:

mike65

Belgium are walking through this game, why?

googled eyes

This game need a kick up the arse, or a goal... whatever

CurryFlavoured

Snore.

Pudsy33

Oat23 wrote: »

This game is going to be boring as sh*t if Algeria play like this.

I bet on Algeria so It'd be nice if they tried to attack occasionally.

This isn't Algeria's fault, they're at least playing with some pace. Belgium are strolling around.

Francie Barrett

Belgians are essentially playing with 4 centre backs here and two defensive midfielders. Major disconnect between the defense and attack.

googled eyes

A shot !

JPA

Agueroooo wrote: »

Fellaini injured?

He's on the bench.

Darkglasses

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

At work so can't watch, but according to FIFA.com 17 minutes gone and zero shots? Here I was worrying I was missing an entertaining match! :eek:

One each now! I'm on the edge of my seat :eek:

I have Algeria in the sweepstakes, otherwise I wouldn't give a sh!te :pac:

googled eyes

The quality of rte player is visual crap !

Better now?

Boom__Boom

The fact that Belgium are making so little effort to up the pace and tempo is a worrying sign if you'd backed them.

First half is almost half over and Belguim seem more concerned about retaining possession than actually creating any sort of goal chance.

JPA

Belgium need some unpredictability, like from Januzaj. Too static.

GreNoLi

Yes!

Washington Irving

Penalty for Algeria

Pudsy33

Game needed that

Oat23

YAY

Boom__Boom

What the what !!!!!

HighClass

This might make Belgium wake up a bit!