WC 2014 Matchday 18: Germany edge past Algeria, France beat Nigeria

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BREAKING: Luis Suarez apologises to Chiellini, admits he bit him

GERMANY 2-1 ALGERIA: click here to read the match report

Full-time: Brave Algeria fall short

How close Algeria came… they were brave and played their hearts out but Germany just had too much class. Algeria, with their goal though, at least broke a record — they scored more goals (7) this World Cup than they did in their last three World Cup appearances combined. For Germany now, it’s time to shift a gear up — because France are waiting in the quarters.

GOAAAALL!! Slimani! 120+1 minute

Ball comes in from the deep on the right and Djabou slides in at the far post. It’s a goal, but it’s a little too late. What a consolation though.

https://twitter.com/sidin/status/483740239547334657

GOAAAAAALLLL! Ozil! 120 minutes

You’ve got to feel for Algeria, what a game they’ve given Germany — who ruthlessly strike a second to end the hopes of the last African nation remaining in the World Cup. Schurrle and Ozil are two-on-one and the former plays it to the latter. Ozil goes back to Schurrle whose sweeping strike is blocked on the line, trickling to Ozil who sends a stunning left-footed drive into the net.

Cramps and substitutions - 112 minutes

The only chance of the match comes for Algeria when an inviting freekick from the left evades everyone when an attacker should have attacked it — tired legs it seems. Halliche and Schweinsteiger have both come off – the Algerian skipper replaced by Bougherra and the German being replaced by Kramer.

Mueller and Mostefa have chances - 102 minutes

Mueller first, immediately after the goal, finds some space on the left, cuts in and tries to curl it past Mbolhi but the ball hardly moves in. Then from an Algerian corner, the ball falls to Mostefa around the penalty spot but his snapshot is wide. Two good chances wasted.

GOAAAAALLLLL!!! Schurrle strikes! 92 minutes

Lightening quick attack from Germany and Mueller’s low cross from the left is cleverly turned in by Schurrle. Just when it seemed the ball had come behind him, he uses his back leg instep to divert it into the net. Not as good to watch as David Villa’s back-heeled goal earlier in the World Cup – but not too bad either.

Schweinsteiger has last chance of 90 minutes - we’re into extra time!

Another glorious opportunity for Germany to snatch a win as a cross comes in for Schweinsteiger and he heads it straight to the keeper. Oh my word!

https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/483730174769643520

Full-on COMEDY freekick - 86 minutes

Germany get a freekick from 25 yards out after a handball and the resulting freekick is a laughter riot. Mueller, Ozil, Schweinsteiger and a couple other Germans are around the ball. Schweinsteiger ran past the ball and then Mueller had to do something on the same lines but tumbles and runs into the box before Kroos chips it straight to an Algerian defender. That was hilarious.

Muller for his 10th… saved! 83 minutes

Three chances in quick succession for Germany. First Mueller’s cross is just glanced wide by Schweinsteiger, then a cross from the right is straight to him but the point-blank header is saved and the rebound from Schurrle cleared away. Finally Mueller executes a lovely piece of skill inside the box but stabs wide! Wow.

Algeria knocking on the door now - 75 minutes

Excellent 10 minutes it’s been for Algeria now as Slimani has started making those runs again. Another long ball finds his run and Neuer has to come out of his area again and head it away for danger. A couple minutes later Mertesacker backs of Slimani who takes a shot from about 18 yards out which is straight to Neuer. Another attack follows soon after as Soudani finds crossing space on the left but there’s very little power on his pull back.

Schurrle change makes Germany more dangerous - 65 minutes

Algeria are sitting deep now, and Schurrle on the right wing means that Ghoulami, who has bombed forward from there on many an occasion has had to stay back and mark the tricky Chelsea winger. Meanwhile, Sami Khedira comes on for Mustafi who is injured. Lahm will go RB now with Khedira joining Schweinsteiger in midfield.

Mbolhi to the rescue again! 55 minutes

Excellent ball from Kroos between three defenders to find Mueller who lays it up for Lahm. The shot from 20 yards is curling towards the far post corner but Mbolhi gets his fingertips to it and keeps the score at 0-0.

Two German chances in three minutes - 48 minutes

Germany have gone in gung-ho mode. Andre Schurrle, who has come on for Goetze, first beats everyone for pace inside the box, his shot deflected high and looping away for a corner — which is just headed over by Mustafi. Much better from Germany.

HT: Intense Algeria cause Germany multiple problems

It’s still 0-0 but there were a lot of chances for Algeria to take the lead. Germany’s best chance was thwarted by a splendid double-save from MBolhi but otherwise it’s been all Algeria — pressing, finding space in the channels and forcing Neuer to come out of the box twice to clear. Germany looking all over the place and haven’t really had a good phase of positive play — that is not to say that they have tremendous quality and can turn half-an-Algerian mistake into a goal.

Deflection almost through for Algeria before Mbolhi makes two fantastic saves - 39 minutes

A corner falls nicely for Mostefa 30 yards from goal and his long-ranger takes a deflection off Boateng and trickles a couple of feet wide — Neuer was frozen in his place. The Germans then break forward and Kroos’ shot is blocked nicely by Mbolhi but is straight in the path of Goetze whose attempt is smothered again. Excellent double save to keep his team in the match but he needs to start punching those long German efforts away from danger.

https://twitter.com/Marcotti/status/483712917335191552

Algeria waste freekick opportunity - 32 minutes

Algeria win the ball as Muller tries to shoot towards goal, the rebound falling nicely for them to break. Slimani is away on the left flank before pulling it back where a push from Goetze buys them a freekick. But Feghouli’s shot from about 28 yards out is high and well, just very high.

https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/483710205130444800

Ghoulam flashes wide! 22 minutes

Ghoulam makes a fine run on the overlap and is slipped through into the box where he has enough time to pick up a pass but goes for a left-footed piledriver which flashes across the face of goal. Minutes before, Ghoulami’s cross had found Slimani and his diving header WENT IN but was OFFSIDE!

Feghouli wastes great chance - 14 minutes

Feghouli steals the ball on the right and does a brilliant dummy to beat his marker – there are two men waiting yards away for the lay off but Feghouli goes for a shot from the tight angle and in all honesty, embarrasses himself with that attempt. What a chance.

Neuer comes out of the box and gets away - 9 minutes

What was that all about? Mustafi is robbed in Germany’s attacking half and Slimani is put through on goal with a long pass. Neuer has come off his line and out of the box and makes a fine sliding tackle as Slimani pulls the trigger. That was very risky and if Slimani hadn’t taken a controlling touch and shot straight away, it could have been uncomfortable for Germany.

And we’re off!

Algeria shaping in a 5-3-2, while Germany make a bit of a change in how they shape up — Phillip Lahm has come back to the middle of the park while Mustafi comes in at right back. Schweinsteiger also gets a chance and will partner Lahm in midfield.

Fact: Seven players in the Germany starting XI are from Bayern Munich

Germany XI: Neuer; Mustafi, Boateng, Howedes, Mertesacker; Lahm, Schweinsteiger; Ozil, Kroos, Gotze; Muller.

Algeria XI: Mbolhi, Ghoulam, Belkalem, Halliche, Mandi; Lacen, Mostefa, Taider; Feghouli, Slimani, Soudani

FT: France 2-0 Nigeria - match report

GOAAALL!! Yobo own goal means it’s France 2-0 - 90 minutes

Valbuena and Benzema just want to run down the clock from the corner, but a low cross comes in anyway and Griezmann is running towards it and tries to divert it into goal, misses, and sees a deflection off Yobo go in. That’s 2-0 then and France are into the last eight.

GOAAAAAAAAAALLL!! Pogba! 82 minutes

Corner for France and Pogba is there to head in a loose punch by Enyeama into the net. Expert finishing, the keeper was nowhere. Got to feel bad for the goalie.

Off the post, Cabaye! And another crazy Enyeama save - 80 minutes

The French are sending wave after wave of attack towards the Nigeria goal — Valbuena’s cross is cleared a couple of yards from the goal-line and the clearance runs to Cabaye about 30 yards out, his stinging shot hitting the underside of the bar. Seconds later Benzema heads behind a long ball, but Enyeama is there to tip it over.

Victor Moses off the line!!! 70 minutes

Fantastic one-two between Benzema and Griezmann and the Real Madrid striker is through on goal. He tries to slide it under Enyeama’s body but the keeper gets down just in time to hamper the ball’s trajectory towards the goal where Victor Moses clears the bouncing ball. Goal-line technology is used and it’s not a goal.

Oshaniwa with a cracking clearance - 66 minutes

France pressing more urgently now and a botched clearance allows them to ping in a cross from the left. It’s bobbing and in Pogba’s path with the Juventus player already in his stride to take a volley but Oshaniwa executes a quality karate-style clearance to put it away from danger.

Stretcher comes out second time for Onazi and this time he’s off - 60 minutes

Matuidi makes probably one of the worst challenges of the World Cup so far - going studs up straight into Onazi’s ankle which sickeningly twisted under the tackle. The stretcher comes out for him again, and this time he will be subbed for Gabriel. Meanwhile, Giroud is off for Griezmann which means Benzema shifts to striker with Griezmann on the left.

Moses tries too much trickery, Varane sees stars - 54 minutes

Victor Moses cuts in from the right and just when it’s time to pull the trigger, he tries another silly trick and loses the ball. It ends up on the right where it’s crossed in for Emenike but Varane is there to defend and takes a blow to the head for his team. He is up and running but looks a bit dazed.

And after that open but wasteful half, we’re up and running again

No changes at HT as both teams sense an opening, the only thing missing is a proper finish or a slice of luck. Nigeria have given France an excellent game. For the Les Bleus, Benzema and Giroud need to be more involved in attacks – the former has been invisible so far.

https://twitter.com/ChurchOfFutbol/status/483648843234680832

Nigeria trouble Lloris again - 44 minutes

Emenike from a tight angle - his zipping shot straight at Lloris who then needs to cope with a rebound with Musa bearing down on him. It’s cleared but that quite a scare.

Oh my Debuchy! What a miss - 40 minutes

Matuidi gets forward and lays it off for Debuchy who’s running towards the box – his shot wide from an area where you would hit the target nine out of ten times. That is the miss of the match so far.

Odemwingie chance from outside box - 30 minutes

Emenike and Odemwingie with a quick exchange at the edge of the box but the latter’s shot is blocked. That was goal-bound. Nigeria getting into danger areas, looking very confident.

https://twitter.com/mspr1nt/status/483649008834199552

Great save Enyeama! 23 minutes

Pogba drives forward and slips Valbuena through on the right before continuing his run. Valbuena finds him with the return ball and Pogba’s acrobatic volley is brilliantly saved by Enyeama.

Musaaaaa – but he’s offside! 20 minutes

Emenike puts in a lovely ball for Musa who’s roving around the near post and finishes first time. He is probably in line but it’s been given offside. That was a FIFA 14 type of decision – offside for half an inch.

Two freekicks for Nigeria - both wasted, 17 minutes

Odemwingie gets a freekick from a crossing area on the left and finds a teammate free at the far post, the impending header was woeful though. Another freekick follows from about 20 yards out from a shooting position but Emenike hits it high, wide and not so handsome.

Nigeria dominate opening exchanges - 8 minutes

Nigeria have tried to string a few more passes than they normally do. One of their crosses from the right finds its way to Odemwingie but an awkward bounce takes it away from him. France have been cautious at the back so far.

And we’ve kicked off!

France field probably their strongest starting XI and are up against a Nigerial squad boasting of huge talent in the form of Musa, Emenike, Odemwingie and Mikel. These are two counter-attacking teams which love playing open football. Here we go…

https://twitter.com/WhoScored/status/483632612159000576

Fact: France have lost 2 of their last 3 World Cup matches against African nations.

France XI: Lloris (c), Debuchy, Evra, Varane, Cabaye, Valbuena, Giroud, Benzema, Matuidi, Pogba, Koscielny.

Nigeria XI: Enyeama; Ambrose, Yobo, Omeruo, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi; Musa, Moses, Odemwingie; Emenike.

7.00 pm: Foreign flags banned as France tightens security for Algeria match

The Riviera city of Nice banned the display of foreign flags Monday as French authorities tightened security ahead of a World Cup match between Germany and Algeria following riots after the last two Algerian fixtures.

Christian Estrosi, the right-wing mayor of Nice, issued a decree temporarily banning what he termed the “ostentatious display of foreign flags” in the centre of the Riviera city, which is home to many people of Algerian heritage.

“Since the start of the World Cup we have sadly seen intolerable behaviour that severely disrupts public peace,” Estrosi added. He said the ban would remain in force until the end of the tournament.

Some celebrations of Algeria’s historic qualification for the second round of the World Cup spilled over into violence on Thursday with more than 70 people arrested for rioting or looting across France.

That was more than double the 30-odd arrested on June 22 after Algeria’s win over South Korea.

The incidents prompted far-right leader Marine Le Pen to call for dual nationality to be revoked on the ground that the fervent support for Algeria reflected a failure to integrate into French society.

Algerians make up France’s largest immigrant group, with close to two million people able to trace their roots back to the former colony.

Many hold dual citizenship and attachment to Algeria appears as strong amongst the French-born younger generation as it is amongst older immigrants.

“We are asking everyone to stay calm while celebrating a victory,” government minister Harlem Desir said Monday.

“We must not let unruliness spoil what should be a party,” he told the LCI television channel, adding that adequate security measures had been put in place to pre-empt a repetition of last week’s incidents.

AFP

6.25 pm Uruguay President Jose Mujica slams FIFA leaders as “sons of bitches”

Uruguay’s President Jose Mujica has slammed FIFA leaders as “sons of bitches” for banning the country’s star striker Luis Suarez over his infamous World Cup bite.

Mujica called the four month ban on all football activity imposed on Suarez for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini “fascist sanctions”.

The president made the comments to a state-run TV sports show which asked Mujica his opinion of the World Cup as he welcomed the defeated Uruguayans on their return from Brazil late Sunday.

“Those at FIFA are a gang of old sons of bitches,” Mujica said. He gasped and put his hand to his mouth in an I-can’t-believe-that-I said-that manner, but smiled.

The journalist asked if he could publish the remark. “For my part, sure,” Mujica shrugged.

“I support the president’s remarks,” added his wife, Senator Lucia Topolansky, who was stood next to him.

“They could have sanctioned him,” said Mujica, a 79 year-old ex-guerrila, “but not with fascist sanctions.”

AFP

5.45 pm: Greece refuses World Cup bonus

This story is almost too good to be true, but true is appears to be. After Cameroon refused to even head to Brazil without their bonus and Ghana’s players forced their association to send $3 million dollars in cash by plane before they took the field for their final game against Portugal, comes some field good stuff from Greece.

According to the Sport Bible, the team sent a letter to Greek prime minister Antonis Samaras saying they would rather the money be spent on better training facilities.

“We do not want as extra bonus, or money. We only play for Greece and its people," the team said in their letter. “All we want is for you to support our effort to find a land and create a sports centre that will house our National team.”

Given the state of the Greek economy and the hardships the people have suffered thanks to the financial crisis, the team might win over more fans for this move than for reaching the round of 16.

5.00 pm: Another day, another Suarez video

Hey Luis, Don’t Bite Me won’t be winning any Grammies but as a parody its well worth a watch and a listen.

Meanwhile in Uruguay, Suarez is being defended at the highest levels of power. The country’s president, Jose Muigca, told reporters that “We should take sanctions [against Suarez>, but not these [FIFA’s> fascist sanctions”.

He went went on to say that “FIFA are a bunch of old b******s!” and told the reporters they were free to broadcast his remarks.