Revenge for Algeria's elimination in the 1982 World Cup motivated the current team for 90 minutes. The players managed to hold Germany until extra time. In the first minute, however, they succumbed.
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With goals by Schürrle and Özil, the German national team leaves Beira-Rio Stadium with a place in the quarterfinals. On Friday, it will face France, at Maracanã, and the winner will face Brazil or Colombia.
It took almost half an hour for Germany to realize that the qualification would not be easy. Coach Vahid Halilhodzic kept the 4-2-3-1 formation, but guided wingers Feghouli and Soudani to mark the German side backs to launch counter-attacks. The measure was so effective that Neuer had to play twice as sweeper to stop the long balls to Slimani running in behind defense. In one play, in the 14th minute, he even scored a goal, but offsides was well called by Marcelo Von Gasse.
Germany, despite finishing the first half with 68% ball possession, only came close to scoring off two headers by Müller and Mustafi and a long shot by Götze deflected by Mbolhi.
Joachim Löw changed the team for the second half. He replaced Götze with Schürrle on the right and pulled Özil to the left wing. At the beginning, it worked, with clear scoring opportunities by Lahm and Schürrle. After some time, however, the Algerians snapped their defense back in shape and controlled the action. Captain Lahm had to be moved to the right side when Mustafi was subbed out due to injury and Khedira came on, at 68 minutes.
Coincidence or not, moments later Germany had its worst three minutes in the World Cup so far. Neuer was obliged to make determinants saves against threatening offensive plays by Feghouli and Soudani.
If on one side there was the wall of Bayern Munich, on the other there was Ramis Mbolhi. The Algerian goalkeeper save all the high finishes by the Germans. In the most incredible move, he saved a ball on the ground headed by Müller, alone, near the penalty spot.
Saving Goal
All plans collapsed in the first minute of extra time. Müller assumed the role of No. 9 and ran out the penalty box on the left side. Dribbling past the defense, he found Schürrle unmarked in the middle. The Chelsea striker tried with a rabona, with the ball deflecting off his leg and crossing the goal line.
Low on stamina, Algeria was unable to react. Germany combined passes up to Özil's goal, who only managed to score off the rebound. Slimani still had time to head one home for Algeria, though.
The result places Germany at Maracanã Stadium. The team will face France, on Friday, in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
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Translation: traduzca.com
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