MARTIN BUREAU via Getty Images
Substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens struck to spare Belgium a World Cup embarrassment against Algeria in Group H.
Jan Vertonghen's clumsy foul gifted the minnows a 24th minute penalty Sofiane Feghouli converted, however three second-half changes galvanised the tournament's dark horses
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was forced to atone for a curious-looking starting XI, as Vertonghen started at left-back to accommodate the ageing Daniel van Buyten in central defence, while Premier League strugglers Nacer Chadli and Kevin de Bruyne did not compensate for the absent Kevin Mirallas' pace.
Mirallas was overlooked, though, as Wilmots introduced Dries Mertens for the hopeless Chadli at half-time, while 19-year-old Divock Origi replaced Romelu Lukaku shortly after the restart and should have levelled when he drilled the ball straight at goalkeeper Raïs M'Bohli.
Moments later, though, De Bruyne finally effected the game when he was given an age to deliver an inswinging cross that Fellaini flicked in for his first goal since 28 August. The time he was afforded highlighted how fatigued the Algerians were, and 10 minutes later Eden Hazard played in quicksilver Mertens to thump in the winner.
Belgium v Algeria
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(01 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria celebrates scoring his team's first goal on a penalty kick past Thibaut Courtois of Belgium during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(02 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria celebrates scoring his team's first goal on a penalty kick past Thibaut Courtois of Belgium during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(03 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria celebrates after scoring his team's first goal on a penalty kick during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(04 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria celebrates scoring his team's first goal on a penalty kick past Thibaut Courtois of Belgium during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(05 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria celebrates scoring his team's first goal on a penalty kick past Thibaut Courtois of Belgium during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(06 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria kneels down in celebration of his team's first goal after a penalty kick during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(07 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria kisses the ground in celebration of his team's first goal after a penalty kick during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(08 of33)
Algeria's players celebrate the goal of Algeria's forward Sofiane Feghouli during the Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(09 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria kneels down in celebration of his team's first goal after a penalty kick during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(10 of33)
Algeria's forward Sofiane Feghouli (2nd L) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(11 of33)
Algeria's forward Sofiane Feghouli (2nd L) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a penalty during a Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(12 of33)
Algeria's forward Sofiane Feghouli (L) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(13 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria (top right) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the first goal on a penalty kick during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(14 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team's first goal on a penalty kick during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(15 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team's first goal on a penalty kick during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(16 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(17 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(18 of33)
Belgium's midfielder Marouane Fellaini celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(19 of33)
Belgium's midfielder Marouane Fellaini (R) celebrates with Belgium's forward Divock Origi after Fellaini scored his team's first goal during the Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(20 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with head coach Marc Wilmots during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(21 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium (L) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Dries Mertens during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(22 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(23 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(24 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(25 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Belgium v Algeria: Group H - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(26 of33)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - JUNE 17: Marouane Fellaini of Belgium (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with head coach Marc Wilmots during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group H match between Belgium and Algeria at Estadio Mineirao on June 17, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(27 of33)
Belgium's midfielder Marouane Fellaini celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(28 of33)
Belgium's midfielder Marouane Fellaini (L) celebrates with Belgium's coach Marc Wilmots after scoring his team's first goal during the Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(29 of33)
Belgium's midfielder Dries Mertens (L) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(30 of33)
Belgium's forward Dries Mertens (R) scores against Algeria's goalkeeper Rais Mbohli (L) as Algeria's defender Rafik Halliche (C) looks on during a Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(31 of33)
Belgium's forward Dries Mertens (R) celebrates after scoring against Algeria's goalkeeper Rais Mbohli during a Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(32 of33)
Belgium's forward Dries Mertens (R) shoots to score against Algeria's goalkeeper Rais Mbohli during a Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-WC-2014-MATCH15-BEL-ALG(33 of33)
Belgium's midfielder Dries Mertens celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Group H football match between Belgium and Algeria at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)