Algeria vs. Russia, 2014 World Cup: Live coverage and score updates

Heading into the game, it was likely that Algeria would only need a draw in order to progress into the knockout stages, though any hopes they had of shutting up shop for a goalless draw were blown out of the water in just the sixth minute. That was as Russia took the lead in brutally simple fashion, with fullback Dmitri Kombarov delivering a deep cross into the box for Aleksandr Kokorin to head powerfully home.

With the goal ensuring Russia provisionally leapfrogged Algeria in the group, Les Fennecs looked to peg them back immediately. Their talented playmakers Sofiane Feghouli and Yacine Brahimi buzzed around busily in the minutes following the goal, though despite plenty of final third possession, Algeria couldn’t test goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev from open play. Their best chance came from a corner on the half-hour, though Islam Slimani’s powerful header was tipped over the crossbar.

Note to kids, flapping at crosses is bad.

Why does this goal matter so much? Russia needed a win to get second spot in Group H, Algeria needed a draw to guarantee a place in the knockout rounds. Oopsies, Russia!

With Algeria qualifying with a win or a draw, keeping the game within a goal is huge. This could be enough to get the momentum titled in the African side’s favour -- poor Alexander Samedov will feel very silly if his failure to convert here costs Russia a place in the knockout rounds.

It was a very tidy finish, and as it stands Russia are in position to get the last spot in Group H.

In the UK, you can watch on the ITV Player, while CBC Sports will have a stream available in Canada. There are listings available for other countries as well at Live Soccer TV.

Russia starting lineup (4-3-3): Igor Akinfeev; Dmitri Kombarov, Sergei Ignashevich, Aleksei Berezutskiy, Aleksei Kozlov; Viktor Fayzulin, Denis Glushakov, Oleg Shatov; Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Aleksandr Kokorin, Aleksandr Samedov.

Match Date/Time: 5 p.m. local, 4 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN2 (U.S. - English), Galavision (U.S. - Spanish), ITV 4 (U.K.), CBC (Canada), Channel One Russia (Russia), BeIN Sports Arabia 13 (Algeria)

Russia, meanwhile, need to beat Algeria to stand any chance of joining group leaders Belgium in the knockout stages. Fabio Capello’s side have been characteristically defensive in their first couple of performances, and have only managed to pick up a single point for their troubles. Expect them to play a little more expansively with progression on the line.

After his side were narrowly beaten by Belgium in their opening game, Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodžić made a number of more attacking changes against South Korea. It paid dividends, as Les Fennecs clinched a remarkable 4-2 win to give them a great chance of progression. It remains to be seen whether Halilhodžić will be equally brave against Russia, or will revert to a more defensive lineup with Saphir Taïder returning to the midfield over the more attack-minded Yacine Brahimi.