Porto Alegre: Andre Schuerrle and Mesut Ozil struck in extra time to earn Germany a 2-1 win over Algeria in a pulsating last-16 clash here and a quarterfinal date with France.
Chelsea forward Schuerrle broke the deadlock in the 92nd minute, with Arsenal’s Ozil adding a second in the 120th minute.
Abdelmoumene Djabou struck in the first minute of stoppage time to give Algeria a consolation goal.
This was Algeria’s first ever appearance in the knockout stages and they covered themelves with glory, taking the game to the three-time champions.
Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half while Germany’s best early chance came as the break beckoned, when only the lightning reflexes of Algeria keeper Rais Mbolhi denied first Toni Kroos’ and then Mario Goetze from the rebound.
Germany coach Joachim Loew introduced Schuerrle for Goetze after the interval and he almost made an immediate impact, his 48th minute drive only narrowly deflected.
Mbolhi then made a superb flying fingertip save to deny Phillip Lahm.
In an enthralling evening’s entertainment at this southern port city Mbolhi once again did the north African’s proud, punching away Thomas Mueller’s header with 10 minutes of regulation time remaining.
With the sides deadlocked, extra time was required, and Schuerrle finally was the man to find a way past Mbolhi, flicking the ball with the inside of his heel at close range after Mueller’s cross from the left in the 92nd minute.
Ozil then struck before Djabou’s contribution.
Friday’s quarterfinal at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana is a repeat of the 1986 semifinal won by the then West-Germany.
“We would have preferred to have won this differently. The Algerians did a good job, they disrupted us from the start and didn’t let us get into our game,” Schuerrle said.
“But it doesn’t matter how we won, the important thing is that we’re in the quarterfinals now against France.”
The result also denied Algeria, who famously beat West Germany in a 1982 World Cup group game, revenge for the so-called ‘Disgrace of Gijon’. After the Algerian victory, West Germany secured a narrow win over Austria in a farcical, half-hearted game which saw both of them go through at Algeria’s expense.
That history weighed heavy on Monday’s clash in Porto Alegre, with Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic saying it would motivate the ‘Desert Foxes’. For the first half at least, it looked like they might have that revenge.
Often abandoned by his blundering defence, Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had to turn to unorthodox methods to save his team.
The Bayern Munich keeper made some fine saves on the line but his rushes far out of the penalty area, clearing the ball with his feet and even his head, had the fans of the edge of their seats.
His risky exits, however, are nothing new.
”I haven’t changed my style,” Neuer said. ”I often play like that in Bayern or the national team.” (AFP)