World Cup games Tuesday on TV
Group H: BELGUIM vs. ALGERIA
Where: Belo Horizonte. Time: 9 a.m. PDT. TV: EPSN, Univision.
The buzz: Belgium is entering a new Golden Generation with a roster deep in stars such as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, midfielder Marouane Fellaini and forwards Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard. But it better not look past Algeria. Although the North Africans’ lineup is a bit unsettled, the team has lost ony one of its last 12 games. Included in that streak are World Cup warmup victories over Armenia and Romania.
GROUP A: BRAZIL vs. MEXICO
Where: Fortaleza. Time: Noon PDT. TV: ESPN, Univision.
The buzz: Both teams come into their second World Cup game unbeaten, so a victory advances one team to the second round and the loser would still have some work to do. Striker Hulk did not practice again and is doubtful against Mexico, which is coming off a 1-0 victory over Cameroon. Brazil hasn’t lost a competitive game at home since 1975.
GROUP H: RUSSIA vs. SOUTH KOREA
Where: Curitiba. Time: 3 p.m. PDT. TV: ESPN, Univision.
The buzz: Russia, a traditional underachiever, has appeared in World Cup tournaments as an independent country only twice, the last time in 2002. South Korea has been in every tournament since 1992, advancing out of group play two of the last three times. In two years under Coach Fabio Capello, Russia won its European qualifying group, beating Portugal, the No. 4 team in the world. South Korea lost World Cup warmups to Tunisia and Ghana by a combined score of 5-0.
