Algeria, Slovenia 0-0 after 30 minutes in their World Cup Group C opener

Algeria, Slovenia 0-0 after 30 minutes

POLOKWANE, South Africa — Algeria and Slovenia were locked at 0-0 after the first half hour of their opening Group C match at the World Cup on Sunday.

Algeria got off to a better start, and came closest to a goal in the third minute when Nadir Belhadj’s 25-meter freekick forced Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to stretch and push the ball over the crossbar.

But gradually Slovenia began to control the midfield and midfielder Valter Birsa saw his freekick, curling in from the right wing, saved by Algeria goalkeeper Fawzi Chaouchi in the 20th.

It’s the first game at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, which was just two-thirds full at kick off.