World Cup Group H South Korea 2-4 Algeria FT Slimani 26, Halliche 28, Djabou 38, Brahimi 62 Son Heung-min 50, Koo Ja-cheol 72 Algeria defeated South Korea 4-2 in part thanks to a superb first-half display, and whilst their opponents rallied after the break the Africans comfortably saw off the fightback to go second in the group.
Algeria had been winless in their last seven World Cup matches since beating Chile in 1982 - their only ever victory, and not only that had struggled to trouble the scorers as well.
But a brilliant first 45 minutes banished those 32 years of waiting for a second victory helped by a woeful display from South Korea who found themselves three goals in arrears by the 38th minute.
Whatever was said at the break had the desired effect and South Korea looked a different, more purposeful outfit, but despite scoring twice they allowed the Desert Foxes to net one more time and so never managed to reduce the deficit to a level were a shock comeback was on the cards.
Algeria may have had little opposition in the first half but they still had to take full advantage, and that they duly did.
A simple long ball forward caught out the slow South Korean defence and Islam Slimani opened the scoring. Two minutes later and their advantage was doubled. Abdelmoumene Djabou's corner caused confusion in the defence and Rafik Halliche powered home a header.
With the South Korean's in disarray the game was effectively settled with eight minutes remaining of the opening half as Djabou made it three.
A vastly improved South Korean performance after the restart threatened an unlikely comeback. This time it was the Desert Foxes who were undone at the back allowing South Korea with their first shot on target to reduce the deficit through Son Heung-min.
South Korea were good vale for the goal and suddenly began to look threatening until Algeria responded with a brilliant team effort which ended with Yacine Brahimi restoring their three goal cushion.
But still South Korea pressed and deservedly scored a second to create uncertainty in the Desert Foxes players again. Koo Ja-cheol connected with Lee Keun-ho's pass and scored from close range.
Algeria wobbled momentarily before regaining their composure and despite a few half chances for their improving opponents the Desert Foxes held out for a long overdue victory.
