POLOKWANE, South Africa, June 13 (UPI) -- Robert Koren's goal with 11 minutes left in the game Sunday boosted Slovenia to a 1-0 decision over Algeria in a 2010 World Cup Group C contest.
The first-ever World Cup win for Slovenia -- the smallest nation in the tournament -- enabled it to jump into the Group C lead thanks to Saturday's tie between England and the United States.
Koren scored when his 20-yard shot deflected off the arm of Algeria goalkeeper Fawzi Chaouchi and found its way inside the right post.
It was a shot that Chaouchi probably should have blocked. Instead of playing it safe and merely pushing the ball away, he tried unsuccessfully to control it. That proved to be a bad choice when it bounced off his left arm and into the net.
Slovenia nailed down the win by holding on over the final 10 minutes.
Group C play resumes Friday when the Americans and British face must-win games against Slovenia and Algeria, respectively.
