Algeria v Russia [World Cup]

Fresh from a first FIFA World Cup win for 32 years, victory over Russia on Thursday would see Algeria make their second-round debut. The African side took many by surprise with a scintillating first-half display in Sunday's 4-2 victory over South Korea last time out, placing them in second place in Group H with a two-point advantage over both the Koreans and Russia.

Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche and Abdelmoumene Djabou all found the net in a breathtaking first 45 minutes as the Algerians picked apart a hapless Korean defence, with Yacine Brahimi adding a fourth after the break, sandwiched between two goals for the opposition. The win - historic in its own right - put Algeria on the verge of an even more memorable achievement, and even a draw in Curitiba would be enough to seal progression, providing South Korea do not inflict a heavy defeat on leaders Belgium.

Russia's tournament has, so far, been a disappointing one, and they find themselves relying on picking up a victory over Algeria to have any chance of making the last 16 for the first time since the break up of the Soviet Union. However, a draw is not enough for Capello's men, whose next World Cup fixture will be on home soil in four years if they are unable to register the win.

The winner of this group will set up a last-16 clash with the runner-up of Group G, in which Germany - ahead on goal difference - and the United States are currently tied on four points, while second place faces the top side the same group.