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| Algeria defeated West Germany in the 1982 World Cup but substitute Abdelmoumene Djabou's 120th minute goal couldn't ensure a repeat (Photo Credit: Reuters) |
They played with pride and determination to prove critics of African entries wrong, but their last minute efforts Monday could not ensure a comeback and a stay in the World Cup.
The Desert Foxes of Algeria pulled a goal back enough for a consolation through substitute Abdelmoumene Djabou in the 120th minute. Yes, the Algerians forced an extra-time decider by holding the Germans for two hours of football.
Germany left it late to take the lead through striker Andre Schürrle in the 92nd minute before Mesut Özil scored the winner 27 minutes later (at119 on the clock) at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre on June 30. .
The Algerians, who appeared to have been motivated by the win over West Germany in the 1982 World Cup, did came close on a number of occasions but the Germans didn't take them lightly.
Their coach, Joachim Lowe, had warned of underestimating Algeria ahead of the match.
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| Mesut Özil celebrates scoring the winning goal that sets Germany a quarter final tie with France (Photo Credit: Reuters) |
The Desert Foxes campaign saw them lose 2-1 to Belgium in their opening match, secured a resounding 4-2 victory over South Korea, and drew 1-1 with Russia in final group match.
They are the second African team to reach the round of 16 after Nigeria - where Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana all went out in the group stages.
Sofiane Feghouli scored Algeria's first world cup goal in 28 years against Belgium on June 17. Algeria qualified for the world cup four times in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014 but only managed to come out of the group for the first time.
Written by Modou S. Joof
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