Germany deny heroic Algeria in extra-time

World Cup, Round of 16, Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre – Germany 2 (Schuerrle 92 Ozil 120) Algeria 1 (Djabou 120+1)

Andre Schuerrle and Mesut Ozil scored an extra time double to put Germany into the quarter-finals of the World Cup following a real test of their credentials from Algeria.

The African side posed a threat all the way through the game, and had opportunities to put Joachim Loew’s team to the sword, but in the end Schuerrle and Ozil’s goals were enough to ensure Germany didn’t suffer a shock exit, despite Abdel Djabou’s last-gasp consolation goal.

Algeria started the game at a rate of knots, coming close to opening the scoring within 10 minutes, when Manuel Neuer was caught out of position rushing off his line to stop an attack. Islam Slimani looked set to leave the keeper in his wake 40 yards out from goal, but Neuer made a last ditch tackle to spare his blushes.

Halilhodzic’s side continued to press high and attack Germany, with Sofiane Feghouli seeing a wonderful diving header correctly disallowed for offside as Germany struggled to deal with Algeria’s energy.

Germany started to take a grip of the game towards the end of the first half, and continued that control after the restart. But Algeria retained a razor sharp threat on the break and were unfortunate not to find the net when Feghouli fizzed a shot across the face of goal.

However, Thomas Mueller passed up a glorious chance to score the winner 10 minutes from time, when the Bayern Munich man heading straight at Rais M’Bohli from an unmarked position 10 yards out.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was also wasteful from an almost identical position, guiding his weak header into the arms of the Algerian keeper, with just seconds of regulation time remaining.

But with just minutes of extra time played Schuerrle found the net with an improvised finish from a Mueller cross, giving Germany the lead they had worked so hard to find.

And Ozil put the result beyond any doubt late in the second half of extra time, smashing the ball home after Schuerrle’s initial shot was saved on the line.

Algeria did find the goal their performance deserved, with Djabou sliding in at the back post to send the deep cross into the back of Neuer’s net, but it was too little too late as Germany made the last eight.

- Eurosport