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Algeria held an underwhelming Germany scoreless for 90 minutes while also threatening to pull off the World Cup's latest improbable upset with a goal of their own, but the Germans came alive in extra time and won 2-1. After struggling to put together a coherent attack for the whole match, Andre Schurrle finally broke through in just the second minute of extra time for Germany and Mesut Ozil put them up 2-0 in the 119th minute. But as they had done the whole match, Algeria maintained focus and got one back in injury time of the second period of extra time to give Germany one last scare before the final whistle.
The match started with Algeria on the attack and Germany playing as if they just woke up in the middle of class. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer refused to stay within the confines of his penalty area and went on nervy expeditions up the pitch early and often.
Though Germany had no shortage of shots on goal, a combination of uncharacteristically poor execution and Algeria denying them by any means necessary kept the match scoreless until the first 90 minutes was up. But even after Germany seemed to take control with their two goals in extra time, Abdelmoumene Djabou finished Sofiane Feghouli cross to set up Algeria for one last chance at an equalizer at the death that wasn't quite strong enough.
Many of the Algerian players were in tears after the final whistle, but their performance both in this match and this World Cup as a whole deserves high praise.
Germany will now face France in the quarterfinals and with neither team looking terribly impressive in their round of 16 match, it's difficult to predict a winner. One certainty, however, is that Germany should never attempt the "falling Muller" free kick routine again.
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