Germany needed just 90 seconds of extra time to accomplish what it couldn't in 90 minutes of regulation play: It finally scored a goal against Algeria.
With all the goals coming in extra time, Germany topped Algeria 2-1 in a tense Round of 16 clash that stretched to 120 minutes at Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre on Monday. In the 92nd minute, Germany forward Andre Schurrle redirected the ball past Alegria goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi with a deft touch of his left foot after a cross from teammate Thomas Muller.
In a frantic finishing flurry to extra time, Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil scored his side's second goal in the 120th minute and Algeria followed with one of its own through Abdelmoumene Djabou. With the narrow win, Germany advanced to face France on Friday, July 4 at Estadio Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
Before that late trio of scores in extra time, it was the goalkeepers who had been the stars in Porto Alegre. With Algeria's M'Bolhi making save after save and Germany's Manuel Neuer ranging far from his line to aid his defenders, it always seemed goals would be hard to come by. They remained that way until Schurrle's tremendous backheel sent Germany on its way back to the World Cup quarterfinals for the ninth straight time.
"We had our problems but at the end we were better and had a lot of chances," Germany coach Joachim Loew said after the match, via The Associated Press. "The important thing is to advance. ... Past champions also did not play well every match. You cannot play fantastic every match of the tournament."
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