Germany Survive, France Advance

France vs Nigeria

France came into the game looking like one of the strongest teams un the competition. Nigeria were one of only 2 African teams to make the round of 16, and they were the ones who went close first. Early on in the first half a through ball to Emenike was tucked into the net, but he was rightly called offside. The moment was the closest the Africans came to scoring the whole game, but they still had hope as Enyeama's heroic performance was keeping the French at bay. Pogba almost opened the scoring late in the first half with a sweetly struck volley, but he couldn't put it past the Nigerian goalie. In the second half the French kept getting closer to finding the breakthrough. Enyeama saved a 1 on 1 with Benzema, and Cabaye hit the crossbar with a shot, but the French didn't find their goal until the 79th minute. A corner kick wasn't dealt with by Enyeama, and Pogba looped his header into the goal (http://gfycat.com/GrossTartGnu). The French were in complete control of the game after that point and if it weren't for Enyeama, Nigeria would have been down by a lot more than 1. In the 94th minute the French got the goal that ended the game. A short corner was dribbled in by Valbuena, whose low cross was hit in by Yobo for an own goal (http://gfycat.com/CleanBruisedFiddlercrab). France advance to the round of 8 to play Germany.

Germany vs Algeria

Most people probably thought this match would be a walkover for Germany, but it ended up being a battle against the Algerians. Algeria came out with the perfect game plan against the Germans, and in the first half they probably looked like the better team. The Germans took hold of the game as the second half went on, but neither teams' effort produced any goals in regulation. Just 2 minutes into extra time, the Germans found the opener through substitute, Andre Schurrle. A run down the left hand side by Muller resulted in a driven cross towards goal, which was back heeled by Schurrle into the far post (http://gfycat.com/SourShockedGrassspider). Algeria now had 28 minutes to find the goal they couldn't find for the first 92. They threw everything forward but struggled to create opportunities against the German defense. Instead of Algeria tying it up, the Germans added a second goal. In the 120th minute, a shot by Schurrle was deflected into the path of Ozil, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net, effectively ending the game (http://gfycat.com/DimwittedSlightEyra). The Algerians didn't go quietly. Just a minute later they got the goal they deserved for their effort in this match. A good passing move ended in a cross to the back post, where Djabou scored with a sliding effort (http://gfycat.com/EvergreenInstructiveCopperhead). The Germans survived the fight with the Algerians and won the right to play France in the quarterfinals.