Belgium's Alderweireld and Russia's Kokorin fight for the ball during their 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro
Belgium's Toby Alderweireld (L) and Russia's Alexander Kokorin fight for the ball during their 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro June 22, 2014. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

Belgium returned to the World Cup stage with a good start after making their last appearance in Korea and Japan back in 2002. The Red Devils came into their last match already qualified into the top 16. Their final match triumph over Korea Republic gave them the maximum 9 points and the top spot in the group.

GROUP H
TEAMMPWDLGFGAPTS
BELGIUM3300419
ALGERIA3111654
RUSSIA3021232
KOREA REPUBLIC3012361

Algeria came in with three points ahead of Russia and Korea with one point each. They only managed a draw against Russia in their final match but the extra point was enough for them to jump over both Russia and Korea to take the second qualifying spot in group H. The draw could be considered to be an upset with Belgium and Russia being the early favourites to go through from group H. With their qualification, Algeria made history by making it to the top 16 for the first time in four appearances.

Russia were unable to excel in Brazil and will be disappointed to be leaving early ahead of welcming the World Cup to Russia in 2018. With Korea out as well as Japan Iran and Australia, all four teams who qualified from the Asian spots are already out of the tournament.

Full group H match results:

BELGIUM2-1ALGERIA
BELGIUM1-0RUSSIA
KOREA REPUBLIC0-1BELGIUM
BELGIUM2-1ALGERIA
KOREA REPUBLIC2-4ALGERIA
ALGERIA1-1RUSSIA
RUSSIA1-1KOREA REPUBLIC
BELGIUM1-0RUSSIA
ALGERIA1-1RUSSIA
RUSSIA1-1KOREA REPUBLIC
KOREA REPUBLIC2-4ALGERIA
KOREA REPUBLIC0-1BELGIUM

Other results:

GROUP A FINAL RESULTS AND STANDINGS

GROUP B FINAL RESULTS AND STANDINGS

GROUP C FINAL RESULTS AND STANDINGS

GROUP D FINAL RESULTS AND STANDINGS

GROUP E FINAL RESULTS AND STANDINGS

GROUP F FINAL RESULTS AND STANDINGS

GROUP G FINAL RESULTS AND STANDINGS