Robert Koren

Algeria waiting to erase scars of '82

England talk about 44 years of hurt since they last won a World Cup.

For Algeria, Robert Koren's late goal for Slovenia on Sunday ensured it was 28 years of hurt since they last won a World Cup match.

The last time Algeria took home maximum points from a game at sport's biggest event, they beat Chile 3-2 in Oviedo to spark jubilation among their fans at Spain 1982 and back home on the streets of Algiers.

Then, it looked like the World Cup debutants would win through to the second round of the finals, having already produced a shock win against reigning European champions West Germany.

But in a match that changed the way the World Cup was organised, the Germans beat Austria 1-0 in the final group match the next day to put their neighbours through on goal difference.