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 goalkeeper 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.