Germany Vs. Algeria Recap And Highlights: Two Extra Time Goals Enough As Germany Win 2-1 [VIDEO]

A lethargic Germany defeated Algeria 2-1 through extra-time goals from Andre Schurrle and Mesut Ozil which see the Europeans through to the quarter finals where they will meet France. Algeria looked inspired, but simply didn't have enough energy to keep up with the classy Germans, who got better as the game wore on.

The Algerians surprised by controlling the first half, not solely due to a certain German dullness in attack. Algeria made no attempt to hide their strategy of sitting deep and trying to absorb pressure, but did very well in posession when they got a hold of the ball. The African's first chance came in the 9th minute when Islam Slimani caught the German defense too high up the pitch, but his pace was matched by German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who came well out of his area to see the ball out for a corner. The Germans looked unlikely to break down the heavily manned Algerian defense, but a good chance did materialize for them on 14 minutes when Bastian Schweinsteiger's powerful strike was popped into the air and collected coolly by Algerian keeper Raïs M'Bohli, who played a phenomenal game.

The Algerians, though, didn't falter and continued to pressure the German defense on the break. Napoli defender Faouzi Ghoulam had a wonderful opportunity to put his side in front from about six yards out in the 18th minute, but the angle was too acute and his left footed strike curled just wide of the far post. The Germans best chance of the half came in the 40th minute when a Toni Kroos shot was saved directly into the path of Mario Gotze but he was unable to beat M'Bohli who made an excellent save on the rebound.

Germany started the second half positively, as manager Joachim Löw took off Gotze and replaced him with Chesea streiker André Schürrle. The pressure materilized in the form of a great one-time shot in the 55th minute by Phillip Lahm, but again M'Bohli was well positioned to make a fantastic save. As the second half wore on the Algerians looked determined to keep the Germans from creating quality chances and in the meanwhile threaten Neuer's goal. On 78 minutes, though, Thomas Muller whipped in a dangerous cross which was met by Schweinsteiger, but his glancing header missed the far post.

Germany's best chance of the match came on 80 minues when a Sami Khedira cross found Muller entirely free in the box, but his header was straight at M'Bohli who made a phenomenal save to deny the Bayern Munich man. Just two minuetes later Muller was again able to devise a great chance for himself but couldn't get his finish right. Again, in the 90th minute, Schweinsteiger found himself wide open in the box but he counldn't get any power behind his header, which went straight at M'Bohli. After 90 minutes the score was level and extra time was needed to decide a winner.

And straight into extra-time, Germany took the lead in the 92nd minute through a wonderful goal from Schürrle who placed his back-heel into the net following a wonderful flat cross from Muller. Algeria had a big chance to draw level in the 101st minute when a corner was mis-hit by Khedira and fell kindly to Mostefa but he couldn't place his shot on target.

The Germans added to their lead in the 119th minute of play through a Ozil strike into an empty net after an off-the-line clearance sat up extremely nicely for the Arsenal man. Algeria got one back right at the end through Abdelmoumene Djabou who finished off a wonderful cross, but it was just a bit late as Germany held on and will meet France in the quarter finals in Rio de Janeiro.