England coach Fabio Capello would have hoped for a better birthday present Friday as he watched his side play to an unspectacular 0-0 draw against Group C minnows Algeria, dpa reported.
Neither team produced many high quality chances at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town and both sides can still advance or be eliminated from the group.
The 1966 world champions, whose Italian coach turned 64 on the day, now have two points from as many games while Algeria - returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1986 - have one point after losing their opening match against Slovenia.
Slovenia, which drew 2-2 with the United States earlier in the day, top the group with four points while the US have two points.
The final round of Group C games see England face Slovenia and Algeria play the US.