| Germany | 2 |
|---|---|
| Algeria | 1 |
PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — When it comes to the knockout stages of the World Cup, wins are worth more than style.
That was on full display Monday when Germany labored to a 2-1 extra-time win over an aggressive Algeria side to reach the tournament’s quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive time.
‘‘You don’t have to play fantastic every match,’’ Germany coach Joachim Loew said. ‘‘You have to win.’’
All three goals came in extra time after Algeria dominated for long stretches during the opening 90 minutes. Germany substitute Andre Schuerrle scored in the 92d minute and Mesut Ozil made it 2-0 in the 120th before substitute Abdelmoumene Djabou got one back in injury time for Algeria.
Three-time champion Germany will next face 1998 winner France on Friday at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
‘‘It was a victory of willpower,’’ Loew said. ‘‘We had major problems in the first half to organize the way we played. We made simple mistakes, which invited the opponents to start counterattacks.’’
Germany finally took the lead when Thomas Mueller provided a cross from the left flank that was slightly behind Schuerrle. The forward dragged his left leg and backheeled the ball into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi with no chance.
Ozil thought he had put the result out of reach when he pounded in a rebound after a shot from Schuerrle was cleared off the line by defender Esseid Belkalem, but Djabou volleyed in a minute later to make the last seconds count.
Algeria, playing in the second round of the World Cup for the first time, thought it had taken the lead before a goal from Islam Slimani was waved off for offside in the 17th.
‘‘We fell just short,’’ said Rais, who was voted man of the match.
At the start of the second half, Germany put Schuerrle on for Mario Goetze in an attacking midfield and came out better organized.
In the 55th, Germany captain Philipp Lahm unleashed a hard shot that an outstretched Rais did well to push wide with his fingertips.
Still, Algeria continued to produce dangerous counterattacks. In the 72d, Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had to come out of his area to head away the danger with Slimani chasing.
In the 88th, Germany’s inability to find the target turned theatrical for a moment when Mueller appeared to fall during a free kick.
Then the goals came, the rain intensified, and Germany took control.