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Rediff.com  » Sports » PHOTOS: Origi strike sends Wilmots' men through at Maracana
This article was first published 9 years ago

PHOTOS: Origi strike sends Wilmots' men through at Maracana

June 23, 2014 00:42 IST

Image: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium receives a kiss after a 1-0 victory in the Group H match against Russia at Maracana
Photographs: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Belgium eased into the last 16 of the World Cup with a 1-0 victory against Russia in a largely lifeless Group H match at the Maracana on Sunday.

The solitary gone win helped Belgium to six points from two games.

"It was not an easy match but I think we deserved to win it," said Belgium coach Marc Wilmots.

"He's in a good space right now, he's 19-years-old," the coach added of his matchwinner.

"It was a bit of a surprise since he was an unknown before I selected him. Now everyone knows who he is."

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Origi's the first teen to score in World Cup since Messi

Image: Divock Origi of Belgium (center) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Kevin Mirallas
Photographs: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Divock Origi struck an 88th minute winner to secure the result. 

It was the first international goal for the 19-year-old Lille striker. Origi is the first teenager to score in the World Cup since Argentina's Lionel Messi in 2006 and is the youngest to find the net at these finals.

Origi came in as a replacement for Romelu Lukaku and helped his side to a second straight win. It was the 15th goal by a substitute in this World Cup finals.

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Hazard was the star for Belgium

Image: Eden Hazard of Belgium controls the ball during the Group H match against Russia at Maracana
Photographs: Clive Rose/Getty Images

The striker rifled in following great work from Eden Hazard just minutes after Kevin Mirallas crashed a free kick against the base of the Russian post.

"It was an important goal but I thought we created it as a team. I thought we showed today that we are mentally strong," Origi said, heaping praise on Hazard for creating the opportunity.

"I hung back and then he passed it to me. People will say it wasn't easy to convert but the work he did shows he is a great player."

Origi scored the winner but the star of the show was Hazard, the Chelsea player being the pivot around whom his side revolved.