Final Scoreline for Match 54 (Round of 16 #6):
GERMANY - 2
(Schurrle 92', Ozil 120')
ALGERIA - 1
(Djabou 121')
Another example of a heavyweight team gone off the boil and stretched to the distance by a comparatively weaker team. Algeria were first-timers, as far as Round of 16 was concerned, but they gave their reputation a real boost by stretching one of the favorites all the way through the Extra Time.
The half-time and full-time score was 0-0, despite some real challenging attacks by both teams. Algeria looked the aggressor all through the first half, with Slimani building up plenty of chances, while Germany put their foot down in the second. Neither team could convert any of their chances until the 90 minutes ran out though. The 2nd minute of Extra Time saw Germany slot one in and it looked to be enough, but in the final minute of the 2nd half of Extra Time Mesut Ozil thundered a second goal which all but sealed the win. Algeria got one back in added time but with seconds left till the whistle, it clearly wasn't enough.
Again, a pretender team has stretched a favorite to the distance. Either the less-fancy teams have upped their game, or the favorites have seriously lost the punch.
Either way, we have our dream Quarter-Final now - it will be Germany taking on France.