Germany, France struggle but win over African opponents

01 กรกฎาคม 2557

Both Germany and France had severe difficulty breaking down their African opponents Algeria and Nigeria, scoring the deciding goals late in their matches.

Please join us on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bangkokpostlearning

Germany's forward Andre Schuerrle (L) scores a goal as Algeria's goalkeeper Rais Mbohli jumps to save the ball and Algeria's defender Faouzi Ghoulam watches on during the first half of extra-time in the Round of 16 football match between Germany and Algeria at Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 30, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

Germany, France end Africa World Cup hopes to advance

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil, AFP – Germany posted an extra-time victory over Algeria and France defeated Nigeria to extinguish Africa's World Cup hopes on Monday and set up a titanic quarter-final showdown.

A sublime flicked finish by Chelsea's Andre Schuerrle and a late Mesut Ozil strike gave Germany a 2-1 win over the Algerians in Porto Alegre to put Joachim Loew's side into the last eight. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186460/index.html)

The Germans will meet European rivals France at the Maracana Stadium in Rio on Friday after Les Bleus ended Nigeria's campaign with a 2-0 win in Brasilia.

Germany were pushed all the way by a physical but limited Algerian side, playing in the last 16 for the first time.

Algeria's goalkeeper Rais Mbohli makes a save during the Round of 16 football match between Germany and Algeria. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Schuerrle put Germany ahead in the second minute of extra time after the match finished deadlocked at 0-0 after 90 minutes.

Thomas Mueller skipped clear down the left and whipped in a low cross, and Schurrle steered the ball into the net with a deft flick of his heel.

Ozil added a second on 120 minutes to put Germany 2-0 up before Abdelmoumene Djabou snatched a late consolation in the dying seconds of stoppage time.

Anxious German fans react in Berlin during an unexpectedly close match against Nigeria. AFP PHOTO / CLEMENS BILAN

It means Germany now face France for the first time at a World Cup finals since the 1986 semi-final – the last time the French lost in normal time in a World Cup finals knockout match.

France had clinched their place in the last eight courtesy of a late Paul Pogba header and a Joseph Yobo own goal to down the Super Eagles. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186462/index.html)

France's midfielder Paul Pogba (R) takes aim before scoring his team's first goal during the Round of 16 football match between France and Nigeria at Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilia during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 30, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EVARISTO SA

Juventus star Pogba made the key breakthrough for France 11 minutes from time, punishing a rare mistake by Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

In the closing minutes, a low cross from Mathieu Valbuena was turned in by Yobo as he came under pressure from Antoine Griezmann.

Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (R) and defender Joseph Yobo (back R) watch helplessly as the ball rolls into the net for France's second goal after it had hit Yobo during a challenge from France's forward Antoine Griezmann (L) . France won 2-0. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE

The defeat was hard on France-based Nigeria keeper Enyeama, who had kept Les Bleus at bay with a series of fine saves.

But the win was no less than Didier Deschamps's' France deserved after dominating the contest and enjoying the better of the chances throughout.

"Deliverance came late, but all the matches at this World Cup are difficult," said Deschamps.

"We're among the best eight teams in the world who remain. We won't go on about it, but we should savour it and in four days, we'll go again."

Click here for our complete World Cup coverage: http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/413146/following-the-world-cup-in-english

Here is everything you need to follow the World Cup competition in English: http://bit.ly/RlaA3Y