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Germany scores twice in extra time to survive Algeria scare

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By RYAN TOLMICH

The Algeria defense kept tabs on the much-heralded Germany offense for the first 90 minutes of their Round of 16 matchup. Unfortunately for the Desert Foxes, they couldn’t keep the Germans off the board after the first 90 seconds of extra time.

Germany survived a major scare from the Algerians, winning 2-1 via an Andre Schurrle finish in the second minute of extra time. Mesut Ozil added a second just a minute before the end of the second extra period, while Algeria’s Abdelmoumene Djabou’s 121st minute finish came too little too late for the Desert Foxes.

After 90 minutes of big saves, missed opportunities and strong Algerian defense, it was the second-half substitute Schurrle who finally got his side their much-needed goal. The build-up for the goal came by way of Thomas Muller, whose run down the left side of the box pulled the Algerian defense out of position.

Muller slid a pass across the box slightly behind an incoming Schurrle, who was able to drag his back foot into the path of the ball for a deflection that found it’s way past Algerian goalkeeperĀ Rais M’Bolhi, who kept the Germans off the board throughout the game with 10 saves.

Ozil added what appeared to be merely an insurance goal in the 119th to double the German lead. Algeria’s defense broke down, leaving space for Schurrle to look for his second. A series of clearances found it’s way to Ozil, who slipped a shot past a pair of Algeria goalline defenders and into the back of the net.

Djabou made things interesting in the 121st by scoring on the far post via a cross from Sofiane Feghouli, but it proved to be too late in the game for the Desert Foxes to muster another attack to look for the equalizing goal.

With the win, Germany now advances to face France, who knocked off Nigeria 2-0 earlier Monday. The two sides will clash Friday at the Estadio Maracana.

Comments

  1. Well after seeing the vaunted Germans and their Arsenal + Bayern centerback pairing I no longer am concerned about whether Jurgen picks Gonzo or Cam to start tomorrow, because either of our guys are better than both of their guys.

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    • Yeah, rough showing on Germany’s part. Klinsmann’s words ring truer even more now (paraphrasing): that the U.S. maybe gave Germany a little too much respect.

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    • Don’t think so. Their guys aren’t unbeatable and our guys aren’t crap, but if Gonzo and Cameron were better, they’d be making the big pounds and euros at Arsenal and Bayern.

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      • Paul our guys not playing for the “big clubs” like Arsenal and Bayern is more down to american biases rather than talent and ability. Any knowledgeable fan of the game knows that and that mentality was even confirmed by European scouts in an article I read not too long ago!

      • Again, don’t think so. American bias used to be more of a driver. Now, not so much. It’s a business. Whenever a player is looked at, business decisions result. The old American bias kept players from being looked at. Today, our guys get a look.

        If there was American bias, why did Junior Flores get a delayed contract out of McLean Soccer to Dortmund? His nationality won’t have much to do with whether he makes an impact in that club or not.

        Cameron has played in the EPL. Are you really trying to tell me the only reason bigger clubs like ManU don’t notice what you seem to believe are his obvious superior abilities is because he’s an American?

        Sorry, but I suspect truly ‘knowledgeable fans’ aren’t buying this bizarre reasoning.

      • If anything, there ought to be a bias toward having Americans break in at the bigger clubs. Why? Because it is a business. And the U.S. is a great merchandising prize. I suspect Bayern is salivating at the prospect of Americans buy a whole lot of Julian Green club jerseys.

    • I think Germany creates a lot more opportunities than other teams. They didn’t have the luck tonight but it eventually came.

      I’m wondering whether their next opponent is going to have an answer for the goalkeeper coming out so far all the time to cover his back line. Maybe take some shots from far out.

      Of all the games I’ve seen in the knockout stage I think our team looks the weakest. But…I didn’t see the Uruguay or France/Nigeria games. I thought the Algerians had a lot of skill, they looked the way Brazillians should play. They just couldn’t keep pace.

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      • I respectfully disagree. I thought the grantland.com article had it right when they did the power rankings of the 16 teams in the knockout stages. They had Greece last, Nigeria at 15, Uruguay without Suarez at 14, Algeria at 13 (although they did impress me yesterday, but this ranking was prior to the knockout games), then CONCACAF teams at 12, 11, and 10. They said the 3 teams from our region were so close, it was a toss-up. I did not see much to argue with in that article.

  2. Those German guys sure didn’t look like they were enjoying themselves. Seems like the pressure is so immense that all the joy is squeezed out of the game for the elite players and teams… I’d venture to say this is good news for the U.S.

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      • Maybe they’ll be more liberated to play better futbol. Joie de vivre, as the French say.

        In different words, it’s hard to be inventive, creative, imaginative, etc., when you feel psycho-emotionally stifled. The spirit just can’t flourish and it do its thing.

      • One other thought.

        My impression is that Klinsmann is probably good at keeping things “light” and liberating for the squad, particularly at this point in the tournament. Seems like a very positive-oriented guy. When ever he’s publicly “critical” of the team’s play, I’ve noticed, he always seems to couch things in very positive tones, saying things like “we can improve” (as opposed to something like, “we failed to do this or that”).

        His energy seems good.

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