Germany limped through to quarter finals of the World Cup last night with a 2-1 extra time win over Algeria in Porto Alegre. Before the match many fans expected it to be a walkover for the Germans but throughout this tournament Algeria have been well organised and shown plenty of passion and commitment and, after an early surge from the Germans, it was they who looked the brightest.

The German back line looked like old men compared to the sprightly pace of the Algerians. Long balls constantly troubled the back four and were it not for the towering height of Per Mertesacker the Algerian strikers may have been through. On more than one occasion the balls did clear the back line only for Manuel Neuer to clear up the danger, acting more like a sweeper than a goalkeeper.

As the first half wore on, Algeria were looking the more dangerous and scored from a fantastic header from Islam Slimani. The Algerian delight was cut short as the offside flag was quickly raised. On second inspection a good call but a warning for Germany. The Germans then almost took the lead as Adi M’Bolhi pushed a Toni Kroos shot away before completing a fantastic double save as Mario Gotze followed the shot in.

The Germans stepped up the game in the second half but were still susceptible to the counter attack and Neuer was called into action as a sweeper on more than one occasion. Although many expected Algeria to fall apart they kept going and frustrated a German team now on top. Thomas Muller almost put them in the lead on two occasions but after some excellent skill fired wide and then placed an inviting header straight at M'Bohli.

Despite some desperate defending at times Algeria were well in the game and creating chances of their own, quite often it was just the final ball that let them down.

Manic cheers greeted the final whistle as the game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes. However, extra time had only just started when Thomas Muller found a way around the Algerian defence and crossed for André Schürrle who, with fantastic improvisation, flicked the ball into the back of the net.

It could have spelled the end for Algeria but they kept going. Bodies were now failing and players from both teams were dropping with cramp. Slimani was almost through for an equaliser but his legs would not move him quickly enough and Jérôme Boateng managed to get the vital touch. The Germans made sure of the result a few minutes from time as a miscued clearance fell to Mesut Özil who hammered the ball home. In truth, it was the only real bit of good work he had done all evening.

Rather than lie down, Algeria got up and tried to move on. With mere seconds remaining Sofiane Feghouli burst past his marker and crossed for Abdelmoumene Djabou to finish. Unfortunately there was no time for them to find an equaliser. It was, however, a fitting end to Algeria’s memorable World Cup campaign and they will go home heros whilst Germany will need to find another level of performance if they are to beat France in the quarter-finals.