Germany Coach Joachim Low said his side weren’t at their best in beating Algeria, adding they had to dig deep to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Die Mannschaft claimed a 2-1 win over the Fennec Foxes, all the goals coming in extra time in a game that saw Algeria catch the eye with their dangerous counter-attacks.
But Germany won out with the help of a couple of substitutes, Low paying tribute to goal scorer Andre Schurrle and Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira.
“This was a game to take a sigh of relief from,” German publication Kicker reports Low as saying post-match.
“It was a victory of will and willpower. In the first half we were poor, better in the second, and we won the game there.
“There has to be a decision for Schurrle and Khedira. They once again gave the team a boost. All the players were at their limit.”
Low added that he isn’t concerned by the sight of Manuel Neuer racing from goal to reach a loose ball, something the goalkeeper did frequently against Algeria.
“It’s good that Neuer comes out and intercepts balls,” he said.
“There are games in tournaments that you have to fight through.”
