Super sub Schurrle

Substitute Andre Schurrle's extra time goal propelled Germany into the World Cup quarter finals at the expense of gutsy Algeria.

Germany had been expected to run riot in this match and ease into the final eight, but Algeria refused to give up and put in a fine performance. Had they been more clinical with their finishing the African side could've pulled off one of the greatest World Cup shocks of all time but it wasn't to be.

It feels weird writing about Germany's hard-fought round of 16 win now that they are actually in the semi-finals, but that's something that can't be helped on a relaxing holiday somewhere with remote signal and no internet access. Playing catch up with the blogging, rather than being able to post sooner, is frustrating but it also allows me to look back again at the games I watched earlier in the week.

Islam Slimani had a chance to break the deadlock in the first half but Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer rushed out promptly to clear the danger. The same player then beat Neuer with a diving header, only to see his effort ruled out for offside. The African side would later be made to rue those chances but, at the time, it was refreshing to see them try and take the game to Germany and create decent chances rather than just go all out defence.

As the game wore on, I found myself falling more in love with Algeria and the fantastic way in which they had approached the game. But the African side, who were playing in the knockout stages for the first time in their history, almost fell behind to the three-time world champions but a fine double save from goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi kept the score goalless.

M'Bolhi produced further stunning saves in the second half to keep Algeria in the game and give his side hope of causing an upset as they defied the odds to force extra time.

Algeria's work-rate had been immense and they thoroughly deserved to still be in the game, but Germany turned the tie on its head as Schurrle flicked in from close range after 92 minutes.

At that point, I fully expected Germany to then run away with it but their African opponents refused to lie down and kept battling away to make my respect for them rise yet again.

The upset could have been back on the cards had Mehdi Mostefa not lashed wide from close range. That miss proved costly for Algeria as Mesut Ozil scored from a rebound to double Germany's advantage with just a minute of extra time remaining.

Algeria finally got the goal their battling display deserved as substitute Abdelmoumene Djabou fired home from Sofiane Feghouli's cross in injury time. The African side had a half-chance before the end with a header straight at Neuer but they were unable to prevent an emotional exit from the tournament.

Algeria can hold their heads high after not only defying the odds to reach the knockout stages, but to have also run Germany so close in the round of 16. It means there were no African representatives in the quarter finals of the 2014 tournament, but Algeria definitely did themselves proud.

As for Germany, they marched on into the quarter final where they were to later beat France to stay on course for a possible World Cup triumph.

In the day's earlier game, France needed two late goals to see of Nigeria and I managed to tune in just in time to see both. Having just arrived at the holiday cottage, I promptly turned the television on and already over 70 minutes had passed.

It meant I had missed the moment when Emmanuel Emenike had seen a goal ruled out for offside, although after having seen the incident it is clear the referee was forced to make a very tough call. That was a very tight offside decision and could've gone either way.

Nigeria will also feel hard done by after seeing Blaise Matuidi escape with just a yellow card following a horror tackle that left Ogenyi Onazi having to leave the field on a stretcher.

The Africans did at least have some luck when the crossbar kept out Yohan Cabaye's wonder-strike, but France finally broke the deadlock 11 minutes from time. Mathieu Valbuena's corner was completely misjudged by Vincent Enyeama, who had earlier made some fine saves, leaving Paul Pogba with the simple task of heading the ball into an empty net.

Joseph Yobo, who has since retired from international football, marked his 100th cap with an unfortunate own goal as he flicked Valbuena's cross into his own net in stoppage time. Heartbreak for Nigeria, although France would suffer the same fate in the next round.

As I write this, the third of four quarter final games is into the second half, so there isn't too much of the tournament left. It is mainly the big sides that remain but it is still impossible to predict what might happen next.

Let the drama continue!

Come on the underdogs!