Andre Schurrle and Mesut Ozil scored in extra time to give Germany victory over Algeria in the World Cup Round of 16.
Schurrle netted not long into the added period after 90 minutes couldn’t separate the sides in a very watchable and rarely dull encounter.
The Chelsea forward flicked a cross that had gone behind him into the back of the net, arriving in the six yard box in the kind of space rarely afforded to German attackers.
Ozil got the second with only seconds to go, thumping into the back of the net after Algeria scrambled to clear, in vain thanks to the former Real Madrid man’s emphatic finish.
Abdelmoumene Djabou claimed what proved to be a consolation in the final minute of extra time and it was no less than Algeria deserved.
Algeria were a constant threat on the break but failed to take any of the chances created, while Germany recovered from a subpar first half to have plenty of opportunities to take the lead until Schurrle finally intervened.
Germany now go on to meet France in the quarter-final after Les Bleus dispatched Nigeria earlier on Monday.
Joachim Low was forced to go without Lukas Podolski after the Arsenal forward was injured against the United States, Mesut Ozil coming in to the side instead, while Shkodran Mustafi replaced the flu-ridden Mats Hummels.
Algeria meanwhile made five changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Russia and confirmed the Fennec Foxes’ place in the knockout stage, but Vahid Halihodzic kept faith with La Liga pair Sofiane Feghouli and Mehdi Lacen.
Bastian Schweinsteiger stung Rais Mbolhi’s palms but it was Algeria who found most of the best positions in the first half. Feghouli, Islam Slimani and Faouzi Ghoulam all had sights of goal while Hilal Soudani was a constant threat in the opening 45 minutes and a deflected Mehdi Mostefa drive almost left Neuer stranded.
Per Mertesacker’s lack of pace was exposed more than once as Algeria exploited Germany’s high line but Thomas Muller gave a reminder of Germany’s threat with a well-won diving header that darted wide and Mbohli made a super double save moments before the interval.
Germany introduced Schurrle for Mario Gotze at half time and the Chelsea man made a difference with his direct running as Germany came far more into the match. Mbohli produced a number of fine saves to take the game into extra time.
But Algeria continued to break in dangerous fashion and Neuer more than once burst off his line to snuff out the danger. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper was rarely tested but could never relax as Algeria broke the lines over and over.
Schurrle netted minutes into extra time, flicking past Mbohli after bursting into the penalty area. Ozil escaped the Algeria defence but was somehow stopped by Rafik Halliche, despite the centre-back being barely able to move with cramp.
A corner fell kindly for Mostefa but he could only shoot wide, yet it was Germany who looked more like scoring, bar a pass that split the defence and nearly put Slimani through, only for Boateng to recover.
But a combination of Algeria’s desire to get an equaliser and tired legs meant Germany were able to find space in attack and should have claimed a second before Ozil lashed home to confirm the result after an enthralling 120 minutes, Djabou giving Die Mannschaft a scare late on.
Germany 2-1 Algeria
Schurrle 92, Ozil 120 (GER), Djabou 120+1 (ALG)
Germany: Neuer; Mustafi (Khedira 70), Mertesacker, Boateng, Howedes; Lahm, Schweinsteiger (Kramer 109); Ozil, Kroos, Gotze (Schurrle 46); Muller
Algeria: Mbolhi; Mandi, Halliche (Bougherra 97), Belkalem, Ghoulam; Mostefa, Taider (Brahimi 78), Lacen, Feghouli; Slimani, Soudani (Djabour 100)
