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Robert Koren's late goal gave Slovenia victory over 10-man Algeria in their opening World Cup game in Polokwane to send them top of Group C.
The former West Brom midfielder's dipping 20-yard drive slipped through the grasp of Algeria keeper Faouzi Chaouchi and into the corner of the net to give the European side their first ever World Cup finals win.
The goal came just seven minutes after Desert Foxes substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal had seen red for two bookable offences as what had until then been a truly dire encounter came briefly to life.
In the 72 minutes prior to Ghezzal's dismissal, for a needless handball, two limited sides were only able to fashion a handful of chances between them, the best of which Algeria defender Rafik Halliche headed wide from a corner.
With group favourites England having drawn 1-1 with their perceived closest rivals USA yesterday, Algeria and Slovenia knew a victory here would send them top and raise their hopes of achieving an unexpected place in the last 16.
This tantalising prospect made for two anxious, edgy teams and an error-strewn encounter, characterised by the regular relinquishing of possession by both sides.
At their best Algeria are a capable outfit, as arch-rivals and qualifying play-off victims Egypt will testify, and the Desert Foxes looked arguably the sharper, aiming to exploit the pace and ability of Karim Ziani and Nader Belhadj.
The early signs were promising when Belhadj drew a good save from Slovenian keeper Samir Handanovic with a curling 25-yard free-kick in the third minute but this turned out to be the only effort on goal in the opening quarter of the match.
It was not until the 36th minute that either side fashioned anything further of meaning.
Ziani's well-taken corner was met by Halliche, who had found space amongst a crowd of players in the box, but he failed to make full contact with his header and the ball flew past the far post with Handanovic stranded.
Slovenia's only previous World Cup appearance came in Japan and South Korea in 2002, during which they failed to claim a single point and scored only twice.
Prior to Koren's decisive strike, the closest they came to adding to their tally was a 20 yard shot from Valter Birsa, which drew a fine one-handed save from Chaouchi just before half time, and an Andraz Kirm 10-yard shot from an angle early in the second half which the Algerian keeper also saved.
Algerian substitute Ghezzal's presence on the pitch was short but eventful. In 15 minutes he produced two headers which failed to find the target and picked up two bookings - the first for shirt pulling, the second a needless handball when trying to provide another header on goal - which resulted in his side playing the final 15 minutes of the match with 10 men.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Algeria were presented with a glorious chance to score minutes later as Handanovic's pass out to defender Marko Suler was intercepted by Ziani but his first touch was too heavy and the keeper was able to gather at his feet.
Slovenia's next attack proved decisive as Chaouchi badly misjudged the flight of Koren's speculative, dipping effort and allowed it to pass him and find the corner of the net.
While not a good game for a neutral, it will make for heartening viewing to England and their fans who will fancy their chances of securing positive results against both these sides.

England's opening World Cup group C encounter against the USA finished 1-1 after a cut and thrust encounter inside the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Steven Gerrard opened the scoring after less than five minutes with a neat finish but a goalkeeping howler from Robert Green ensured the United States took a point away from the tie.
After endless speculation and hours of conjecture, England manager Fabio Capello's starting line-up and formation was revealed: A standard 4-4-2 formation with Robert Green getting the nod ahead of David James and Joe Hart in goal.
In defence, Ledley King got the faith of the manager to fill the injured Rio Ferdinand's boots, the Spurs stopper partnered John Terry, Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson in a familiar back-four. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were selected in centre midfield, with James Milner the choice on the left and Aaron Lennon on the right. Emile Heskey partnered Wayne Rooney up front.

The United States opted for a familiar line-up. Jozy Altidore would fulfil striker's duties, with Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey providing support from the right and left wings respectively.
The game started in high tempo with England putting the USA under pressure immediately. The much maligned Emile Heskey proved a good early outlet for the Three Lions and his link-up play kept the United States back-four occupied.

Less than five minutes on the clock and the positive start from Capello's men was to pay off.

A ball up to Wayne Rooney was mis-controlled by the Manchester United talisman but Heskey was there to pick up the loose ball. The targetman showed good vision to spot Gerrard breaking into the box and his reverse path was straight into his captain's path. The skipper fought off the attentions of defender DeMerit and slid the ball neatly past a despairing Tim Howard to give the Three Lions a dream start.

The Americans were shocked but, to their credit, after conceding they got their foot on the ball and started to create chances for themselves.

A spell of possession from them saw a corner awarded, and Oguchi Onyewu perhaps could have done better when he connected in the box from the set-piece, but his header flew high and wide over the goal.

Not long after and the USA had an even better chance. England weren't proficient with their ball retention and this allowed dangerman Landon Donovan to drift down the left channel to deliver a dangerous ball across the six-yard box.

Altidore seemed to arrive fractionally too late to connect though and a gilt-edged chance for the Americans went begging.

There was a real cut and thrust to the game at this point and straight down the other end England hit their opponents on the counter. A direct ball up to Rooney was controlled superbly and the striker dinked an excellent ball over the USA back-line to release Aaron Lennon down the right flank.

The speedy winger put on the burners and charged towards the by-line. Rooney and Heskey were waiting in the middle for the cross but excellent defending by DeMerit stopped a dangerous ball from reaching its target and the USA were saved.

Milner, who had received a booking early in the game, was then brought off for Shaun Wright-Phillips in a tactical shift by Capello.

The USA were giving as good as they got though and good link-up play between Donovan and Findley saw them fashion a half-chance soon after, Donovan's curling drive on the edge of the box had the keeper scrambling, but the shot was just wide.

After that and the English goalkeeper was involved again - in an incident that he will soon want to forget.

A calamitous error from Green let the USA back into the game. A speculative shot from Dempsey should have been dealt with easily but the keeper let the ball slip from his clutches and roll over the goalline.

A disaster for a team that has had to deal with high-profile goalkeeping errors in the recent past, England manager Capello looked aghast from the sidelines.

His squad had little time to recover from the blow of conceding as the half-time whistle was blown shortly after.



Error of judgement | Three Lions suffer another keeper howler

The second period and England again started on the front foot.

Lennon in particular was impressive and the diminutive winger set up two great chances that should have been converted.

The first saw the winger display his dangerous pace. A darting run saw him go around the outside of Bocanegra and cut promisingly into the box. A delicious ball was slid across the goalmouth but both Rooney and Heskey failed to connect with it when all it needed was a touch to send it past Howard. Donovan collected it instead and cleared from danger.

Next and not long after, Lennon sent Heskey through with a great ball that let the big striker through on goal. The Aston Villa targetman is not exactly known for his finishing and this showed, his drive was straight at Howard who managed to catch his shot in his chest.

England were building pressure but the USA had their moments of danger. A clumsy challenge by Gerrard to the right of England's goal could have been punished when the referee awarded the foul. However, Donovan's curling delivery was headed wide by Onyewu.

The game was becoming stretched now and their was more space for both sides. Lampard was allowed to drift into a dangerous area in front of the box and the midfielder unleashed a fierce drive that Howard had to beat over his goal.

It was back and forth and Green went some way to making up for his howler in the first half when he produced an excellent save to deny Dempsey, the goalkeeper managed to push the ball wide of goal.

But it was the Three Lions who were really starting to knock on the door for the next goal. Wright-Phillips was enjoying more space down the right now and a cleverly disguised pass from Rooney allowed the winger to test Howard with a shot at a tight angle, the keeper doing well to beat it away.

There was more pressure from England then and it kept coming. A delightful cross from Gerrard then set up Heskey, but with the goalmouth begging, the striker headed over the bar from close range.

Crouch was then brought on as Capello went for the three points.

It was all England now as the USA looked visibly tired. A great counter-attacking move involving Lampard, Rooney and Lennon had the fans' heart in their mouths but as the final pass was played back across goal, Lampard couldn't make the connection after some great defending by DeMeritt.

It wasn't to be though and despite all England's pressure, the USA defended resolutely and held out for the point.