Super sub Fellaini saves the day for bumbling Belgians

After a much-maligned debut season with Manchester United, Marouane Fellaini really has gone from Red Devil to angel in the space of a few weeks, despite his national side Belgium sharing the same nickname.

There was so much hype about this ‘Golden Generation’ of players before the World Cup, but a nervy first half saw Group H outsiders Algeria threaten to cause an upset.

Fellaini began the game from the bench, but it was he and Dries Mertens – also a substitute, at half time to replace the ineffective Nacer Chadli – who got the crucial goals to win, coming from behind.

Marc Wilmots’ men started well, playing patient possession football, with Chelsea star Eden Hazard out wide on the left, and Kevin de Bruyne and Chadli rotating in the centre and right, behind Romelu Lukaku.

The match began with nothing more than a shanked effort from Leicester City forward Riyad Mahrez of Algeria, before a long-ranged effort at the other end from midfielder Axel Witsel tested but didn’t trouble keeper Rais M’Bolhi.

However, minutes later, Jan Vertonghen, who is usually so reliable for club Tottenham, playing in his unflavoured left back position, held back Sofiane Feghouli in the area, resulting in a penalty. The Valencia winger then stood pass the ball from the spot into the back of the net, sending goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois the wrong way.

Despite the goal coming mid-way into the first half, the Desert Warriors managed to keep enemy shots to a minimum. Wayward efforts out the area from De Bruyne and Vertonghen freekicks, another Witsel shot and a tame close-ranged scuff from Chadli were the only chances before the end of the first period.

The half time substitution of Mertens for Spurs flop Chadli certainly changed Belgium’s dynamism, although without much success at first. The introduction of teenager Divock Origi in place of Lukaku also spiced things up, but the crucial moment, although not many would have expected at the time, was the appearance of Fellaini – on for Mousa Dembele.

Despite scoring no goals in all competition for United this season, six minutes after coming on (70th) he rose fantastically to meet a De Bruyne cross from deep left to head home off the bar.