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Striker Islam Slimani put up impressive plays and helped Algeria overcome a tough fight back from South Korea, who all but failed to salvage their Group H match, 4-2 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Not only did the win help Algeria become the first African team to score four goals in a World Cup match. The victory likewise gave the African nation its first World Cup win since 1982.

Sunday's win moved Algeria into second place in Group H, with one match to play left against Russia.

Slimani opened Algeria's scoring frenzy with a solo goal after the 26th minute as his team zoomed to a 3-0 lead at halftime. After the break, the South Korean side seemed to have been rejuvenated as it mounted a furious comeback.

Algeria controlled the match in the opening 15 minutes with midfielder Sofiane Feghouli and Slimani putting very close shots as South Korea barely kept possession in the middle of the pitch.

Slimani cut onto a through ball between two South Korean defenders, then taking control, he steered it past goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong. Two minutes later, defender Rafik Halliche scored on a header from a corner kick, with Jung coming off his line but failed to get a piece of the ball.

Algeria's third goal came from an assist by Slimani, who broke another through ball and passed it to Abdelmoumene Djabou who was in position to tap the ball to the goal.

After the half, Son Heung-min fired a nice shot between the legs of Rais Mbolhi in the 48th minute, the first of many indications the South Koreans won't be giving up the match without a fight.

But Slimani snuffed the fight out of the South Korean side when he gave a swift pass to Yacini Brahimi in the ensuing Algerian counter attack to make the count 4-1.

South Korea captain Koo Ja-cheol fired a shot at close range in the 72nd minute as he rallied his team to make a stand. But aside from a few chances, the Algerian defense held on as it secured its historic victory.

The loss puts South Korea in a must-win situation against the already-qualified Belgium and hope the other results go their way to make it to the knockout stages.

Belgium leads Group H with six points, Algeria with three, while Russia and South Korea have one point each.

TagsAlgeria, Islam Slimani, World Cup 2014, FIFA World Cup Brazil, Algeria vs. South Korea