CURITIBA, Brazil - Algeria qualified for the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, with Islam Slimanis headed equalizer

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CURITIBA, Brazil - Algeria qualified for the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, with Islam Slimanis headed equalizer giving his team a 1-1 draw against Russia on Thursday and enough competition points to move into the second round. Kenny Stills Dolphins Jersey . Algeria was the last team to secure a spot in the Round of 16 when it placed second to Belgium in Group H. Its progress means Africa has two representatives in the second round for the first time — Nigeria qualified on Wednesday. The Algerians next play Germany on Monday. The victory prompted mass celebrations on the pitch among the players, and had coach Vahid Halilhodzic shaking his head in apparent disbelief. "I think Algeria played a heroic match and our qualification is perfectly deserved," Halilhodzic said. Russia, needing a win to advance, went on the attack from the start and dominated the first half with its intricate and swift passing movements through midfield. The Russians took the lead in the 6th minute when Alexander Kokorin powerfully headed in a left-foot cross from Dmitry Kombarov. Slimanis 60th-minute equalizer came after Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev failed to catch a swinging left-foot free kick from Yacine Brahimi. That was the second costly error that Akinfeev has made in the tournament for Russia. However, there were indications on the TV broadcast that a green laser was being shone toward the goalkeeper just before the free kick was taken. As well as bemoaning the match officials, Russia coach Fabio Capello said his goalkeeper was "blinded by the laser beam." Failure to advance put pressure on Capellos position, although he said it was up to the Russias football federation to decide whether he was the right manager to lead the team when the country hosts the World Cup in 2018. Capello recently signed a contract extension that would see him at the helm through the 2018 World Cup. Asked whether he would stay, he said: "If they still want me, yes." Halilhodzic said he told his team at halftime not to panic after Russias strong start to the game. "During the first half Russia used its experience .... my players were a bit naive," he said. The team has shown signs of progress during the tournament and Halilhodzic thought they could compete well against Germany. In the second half, Brahimi troubled the Russia defence consistently until his substitution late in the game. Along with midfielder Sofiane Feghouli and man-of-the-match Slimani, he helped neutralize much of Russias attacking intent through the second half. Before Algerias equalizer, Russia had chances to double its lead, notably in the 26th minute when Oleg Shatov weaved through the Algeria midfield but his right-foot shot drifted wide of the Algeria post. Algeria came closest to qualifying for the second stage at the World Cup in 1982, but West Germany and Austria played out a result that suited both of those teams. The European teams, meeting a day after Algeria had won its last group game, knew that a 1-0 win for West Germany would put both through to the second round at Algerias expense. It remains one of the most contentious group games in the tournaments history. Now that it has qualified for the second round, Algeria can look at the tournament from a different perspective. After all, it beat West Germany 2-1 in one of the great World Cup upsets in 1982. Jay Ajayi Dolphins Jersey . Nick Holden scored two goals and had an assist and the Avalanche held off the Nashville Predators 5-4 Saturday night for their fourth straight victory. Jarvis Landry Jersey . Louis Blues and back into top spot of the TSN.ca NHL Power Rankings. The Sharks had been ranked No. http://www.jerseyshoptheofficialdolphins.com/Elite-Mark-Clayton-Dolphins-Jersey/ . Ferguson told Uniteds in-house TV channel on Saturday that he has no immediate plans to walk away from the game, and that he still hungers for more trophies even after 25 years in charge of the club.MINNEAPOLIS - Yan Gomes homered and drove in four runs to help the Cleveland Indians advance in the AL wild-card race by beating the Minnesota Twins 7-3 on a rainy Saturday night. The Indians are 3 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot after Oakland, Kansas City and Seattle all lost ahead of them earlier in the day. The start of the game was delayed for more than two hours because of rain. Gomes, who had three hits, broke it open with a three-run homer off Trevor May (3-5) in the fifth inning that made it 7-2. T.J. House (4-3) was removed after Joe Mauer and Kennys Vargas singled to start the sixth. Zach McAllister came in and struck out the side. Brian Dozier had three hits for Minnesota, including his 21st homer in the eighth. All seven of Clevelands runs came with two outs against May. Mike Aviles hit a two-run triple, Michael Bourn and Gomes added RBI singles. The Indians finish the series Sunday at Target Field, then resume a suspended game Monday against Kansas City. Cleveland leads 4-2 in the bottom of the 10th. Ryan Tannehill Youth Jersey. TRAINERS ROOM Indians: 2B Jason Kipnis remains day-to-day with a hamstring injury. He hasnt played since Thursday. Twins: All-Star closer Glen Perkins, shut down for the season on Friday with a left forearm strain and secondary nerve irritation, said hes pitched through discomfort the last month. The injury lowered his velocity and limited use of his slider. He will rest for a couple weeks, then meet with the Twins training staff in early October to develop a strengthening and maintenance program. ... CF Aaron Hicks was scratched from the lineup with back stiffness. UP NEXT Corey Kluber (16-9, 2.54) starts for Cleveland on Sunday against Anthony Swarzak (3-1, 4.42). Kluber struck out a career-high 14 in his last start against Houston, the first Indians pitcher to fan at least 14 since Bartolo Colon on May 29, 1998. Swarzak will be making this third start of the season and 30th of his career. As a starter, the right-hander is 7-17 with a 5.85 ERA. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '