Algeria earned a morale-boosting victory ahead of the
2014 FIFA World Cup as they comfortably beat Armenia 3-1 on Saturday.
The African outfit were in control throughout in a
performance that should keep spirits high going into the World Cup, which
begins in 12 days time.
All of Algeria's goals came in the first half, defender
Essaid Belkalem putting them in front early with a scrappy close-range finish.
Nabil Ghilas then doubled the advantage before Islam
Slimani effectively made sure of victory with Algeria's third.
Striker Artur Sarkisov did reduce the arrears in the
second half, however, Armenia never looked like mounting a comeback as Algeria
cruised to a straightforward success.
Algeria face Romania on Wednesday before travelling to
Brazil to face Belgium, Russia and South Korea in Group H.
Vahid Halilhodzic's men made a strong start at the game
in Sion, Switzerland and were rewarded after 13 minutes when Belkalem bundled
the ball home from a corner.
Armenia responded well but were punished for failing to
test Algeria goalkeeper Mohamed Zemmamouche after 22 minutes as Ghilas struck.
The Porto striker rattled an effort in off the crossbar
following a superb run and pass from midfielder Riyad Mahrez.
And the game was put beyond doubt four minutes before the
break as Sporting Lisbon striker Slimani displayed great reactions, nodding in
from point-blank range after Ghilas had headed against the crossbar.
Two minutes into the second half Armenia gave themselves
hope, Sarkisov capitalising on a defensive lapse from Algeria.
He raced onto a backpass following a miscommunication in
the Algerian backline before slotting into the bottom corner.
Algeria did have a chance to restore their three-goal
lead late on as substitute El Arbi Hillel Soudani cleverly worked his way to
edge of the area, only to be denied by a strong save from Armenia goalkeeper
Roman Berezovskiy.
But that proved to be little more than a footnote as
Algeria sealed a strong result as they prepare to try and reach the last-16 of
a World Cup for the first time.
Culled from Soccerway
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