World Cup Group H Algeria 1-1 Russia Kokorin 6 Slimani 59 Russia squandered an early lead and the 1-1 draw with Algeria means the African team reach the the last 16 for the first time in their history.
For Russian coach Fabio Capello it must seem as if history is repeating itself for as manager of England in the last World Cup the Three Lions put in a dire performance against Algeria, and yet it started so brightly his team here.
Within six minutes they were ahead when Aleksandr Kokorin met a Dmitri Kombarov cross with a firm header and Russia looked set to register the victory they needed to progress.
With Algeria chasing the game and frequently looking frustrated Russia were comfortably controlling the game whilst looking the more likely to score on a swift counter attack.
The Desert Foxes lacked a cutting edge and their opponents defence rarely looked under any pressure until just before the break when Islam Slimani was allowed a free header which was comfortably saved.
Yet the Russian's failed to heed the warning and just before the hour mark Algeria got the priceless leveller that was to send them through.
Yacine Brahimi flung over a free kick which Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev came for but failed to collect, allowing Slimani to head into an unguarded goal. A green laser from the crowd was had been targeting Akinfeev at the time but even so the keepers judgement was poor.
Russia continued to press for the winner without really going all out on attack allowing the well marshalled Algerian defence time to regroup. On the couple of occasions the African's rearguard was breached, keeper Mbolhi was more than equal to their efforts.
Four minutes of added time passed without any anxious moments for the Desert Foxes and the referee's final whistle signalled history had been made by Algeria.
Russia also continued their tendency for conceding after half-time, for this was the ninth time they have done so in ten World Cup games and it cost them a place in the last 16.
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