By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, July 1 (Xinhua) -- It was his 14th goal for Germany and maybe the most important. Chelsea forward Andre Schuerrle was Germany's life saver in the crucial duel against a passionate Algerian side in the first knock out round of the Brazil World Cup.
Schuerrle's goal in the 92nd minute and Mesut Oezil's strike in the dying minutes (120th) handed Germany a narrow 2-1 win in extra time in Porto Alegre.
Djabou got a goal back for Algeria in the 121st minute but it was too late. It was the worst World Cup performance of Germany so far but still enough to put them in Friday's quarterfinal against France.
The German strategy to push the back-row further up to midfield to leave Algerians with little space simply did not work. Germany's defence was under pressure the whole time as Shkodran Mustafi, central defender Jerome Boateng and left-back Benedikt Howedes all gave the ball away far too often and had problems tracking the Algerian strikers raiding down the flanks.
German problems started in midfield as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos found it difficult to break down Algeria's defense and their forwards were not in position.
There was not enough movement in the Germany's play. Algeria's brilliant strategy - to attack the Germans with quick passes and an intensive pressing game - stifled Germany's efficiency and unveiled a surprising new German face - chaos. Like raiding pirates, the Algerians continually attacked the German defense. The Germans had no answers in the first half.
Shortly before the game Germany's best defender Mats Hummels was forced out of the game due to a bad cold. German coach Loew replaced him with Shkodran Mustafi who played on the right of the defense. Boateng and Per Mertesacker started in the center and Hoewedes on the left. But it disrupted the normally well-oiled back line.
German keeper Manuel Neuer had to leave his goal several time to save the day as "the last man standing". Algeria had lot s of good chances to score the opening goal. The top favorite was not the better team but the underdogs. Algeria with its efficient row of five in midfield was causing continual problems. England football legend Gary Lineker's tweet hit the nail on the head: "The German high line is bordering on the suicidal." Lineker showed the "touch map" of German keeper Neuer. More than a third of his ball contact's came outside the box.
For the second half, the inefficient Goetze was replaced by Chelsea's Andre Schuerrle. Germany now tried to gain control by more powerful attacks as they knew they would only survive if they stepped up their game. Lahm went to right back as the weak Mustafi had to be substitutes due to an injury. He was replaced by Sami Khedira. Now the German midfield looked like the one at the 2010 World Cup as Schweinsteiger and Khedira were back playing together and Lahm as a defender.
An open game developed as Algeria had to pull back but still found opportunities for counter-attacks. They however lacked precision in front of goal. Schweinsteiger and German top scorer Thomas Mueller squandered the best chances in the last quarter of second half. The Germans started to change positions up front much quicker now and they were now on top of their game. Despite the improvement they couldn't quite score the winner in the first ninety minutes. But they didn't have to wait long in extra time before Schuerrle and then Oezil late on saved their faces.
For the next round the Germans will have to improve their game. Until now it was focused too much on the midfielders with not enough support over the flanks.
Germany's Kroos was also in the (pre-match) headlines as well - for other reasons though. Spanish media report the Munich midfielder is likely to join the Champions League winner Real Madrid next season. Up until now there has been no confirmation from Kroos' club Bayern Munich.
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