Porto Alegre (brazil), July 1:
Three-time champions Germany scored two goals in extra-time to eke out a narrow 2-1 win over a valiant Algeria while France defeated Nigeria 2-0 to end Africa’s World Cup hopes and set up a mouth-watering quarter-final showdown against each other.
Algeria started the match as underdogs but gave Germany a run for their money at least in the regulation 90 minutes.
Even though Germany were by far the better side on display in the match, the former champions failed to break a spirited Algeria defence in the regulation 90 minutes, forcing the game into extra-time.
But the Germans finally rode on their class to find the back of the net in the second minute of additional time through substitute Andre Schuerrle.
Chelsea’s Schuerrle, who came in after the interval for Mario Götze, came to Germany’s rescue in the second minute of extra-time after both the teams failed to opening the scoring in the regulation 90 minutes.
Schuerrle scored the first goal of the match in the 92nd minute with a sublime flick off Thomas Muller’s pass before Mesut Ozil struck in the final minute of additional time to double Germany’s lead.
Even though Abdelmoumene Djabou scored an 11th-hour goal for the Algerians it proved too little, too late for the spirited north Africans.
The Germans will meet European rivals France at the historic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Friday after the Les Bleus ended Nigeria’s campaign with a 2-0 win in Brasilia.
Germany, however, were made to work hard by a physical Algerian side, playing in the last-16 of the World Cup for the first time.
Earlier in the day, France struck twice in the second half to prevail over Nigeria in another last-16 game at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia.
France broke the deadlock in the 79th minute through Paul Pogba before doubling their lead in additional time through an own goal by Joseph Yobo.
Nigeria started on bright note and enjoyed the lions’ share of possession at least in the opening 20 minutes of the game.
Neigeria’s persistent efforts resulted in a free-kick just outside the French circle in the 17th minute when Peter Odemwingie was brought down by Blaise Matuidi but the Super Eagles failed to cash in on the chance.
Two minutes later Emmanuel Emenike found the back of France net with a deft touch only to to be ruled out marginally off side by the line referee.
Nigeria certainly was on top at the opening exchanges as France played the second fiddle.
But France got their acts back quickly and had a great chance in the 22nd minute only to be denied by a brilliant Vincent Enyeama in front of Nigeria goal.
Enyeama showed brilliant reflexes to keep out Paul Pogba’s powerful shot after a one-two with Mathieu Valbuena. (PTI)
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