Germany hold off plucky Algeria for quarterfinal place

                            Germany needed extra time to hold off a valiant and determined Algerian team who can now go back home with their heads held high after a plucky display against the former three-time winners.

        Germany and Algeria squared off in their round of 16 fixture today 30/06/2014 in the second match with a quarterfinal place at stake. The winner of this encounter would have a meeting with the French on Friday. The French had earlier gotten the better of the Nigerians. The last time Germany and Algeria met at the World Cup was in 1982. On that occasion it was the Algerians who stunned the European Powerhouse with a 2-1 victory at the El Molinon Stadium in Gijon, Spain. So the Germans were out for revenge, The Algerians were Africa’s last remaining hope for a quarterfinal place at this year’s World Cup following the Nigerians’ exit. So a lot was on the line. Amazingly it was the Algerians who had the first chance of the game as Slimani found himself behind the German defense and forced Manuel Neuer in the German goal to come a long way off his line to avert the danger and Germany escaped. Germany would soon reply with an effort of their own though, as a long range shot from Schweinsteiger in the 14^th minute forced Mbolhi in the Algerian goal to make a save. Algeria would then have the ball in the back of the German net as Slimani would latch on to a long pass with a great header which beat Neuer but it was disallowed for offside. It would be the Algerians who would put the Germans under pressure on a couple of occasions as Neuer was forced to come off his line to stop goal scoring opportunities with some timely clearances. In the 31^st minute Algeria won a free kick after a challenge from Gotze, but Feghouli’s effort was too high and Germany survived. Four minutes later a header from Muller after a great ball from Mustafi went just wide and the game remained scoreless. That was the way it would stay at the half.

            

          At the resumption Germany made a change as Schurrle replaced Gotze in an effort to get the important opening goal of the game. Algeria soon won a corner but couldn’t capitalize. The Germans would soon win one of their own and but the North Africans repelled the danger and the score remained 0-0. In the 54^th minute a brilliant strike from Lahm was well saved by Mbolhi and another German opportunity was foiled. The Germans would continue to dominate possession and force successive corners, but couldn’t take advantage of their chances. In the 68^th minute Germany made a substitution as Khedira replaced Mustafi. It would be Slimani’s pace which would give the German defense pressure once again as Neuer was forced off his line one more time to make another timely clearance. Slimani would then test Neuer from distance but the German custodian was equal to the task. In the 76^th Algeria would make their first change as Taider was replaced with Brahimi in the 78^th minute. Germany would then squander a good opportunity to take the lead as a header from Schweinsteiger went just off target. Mbolhi would then come to the Algerian aid in the 80^th minute as he blocked a great effort off the head of Muller. Germany would continue to apply the pressure as they won a corner in the 84^th minute. They would then be awarded a free kick after a Feghouli hand ball, but the ensuing effort was wasted. Neuer would again come far off his line to deny Algeria once more. At the end of 90 minutes neither team could be separated, so it was now onto extra time.

                  

                 In the first period of extra time, a great ball played into the Algerian penalty area by Muller found Schurrle who made no mistake. 1-0 Germany. Algeria would then make a substitution as Bouguerra replaced Halliche in the 97^th minute. Soudani would then be replaced by Djabou in the 100^th minute. At the end of the first fifteen minute period Germany would still have the lead. Lahm would soon find himself in the referee’s book for pulling down Brahimi.  The ensuing free kick would give Neuer some problems but Germany was able to survive. Germany would then get the insurance goal as a counter-attack from the Europeans following an Algerian play was scored by Oezil.  Algeria would then give themselves a slight glimmer of hope as Djabou would soon connect with a great cross to narrow the German lead. It was case of too little, too late for the North Africans though, as Germany hung on for a place in the quarterfinals and a meeting with the French.