GERMANS STILL NOT COMFORTABLE

While Manuel Neuer emerged as German saviour against Algeria, the former champions will have to improve if they are to progress further:

DEFENCE HAS TO IMPROVE

Algeria’s last-minute goal was no more than a momentary lapse of concentration but throughout the match the central defensive partnership of Per Mertesacker and Jerome Boateng struggled against Algerian pace. With no more than an onrushing Manuel Neuer to stop a number of Algeria’s darting through balls, Loew will have to go back to the drawing board and tighten their defence. Better sides like France, their quarterfinal opponents, can easily rip through them.

NEUER THE SHINING LIGHT

Germany may not have looked like champions on Monday night, but Manuel Neuer certainly looked like a worldbeater. The custodian ensured his side’s success with a gameplan that made him part solid goalkeeper and part onrushing sweeper. With a cool head and an all-encompassing armspan, Neuer battered away Algerian assault after assault.

OZIL DISAPPOINTS

Although he ultimately grabbed Germany’s second extra-time goal, Mesut Ozil was once again far from his usual best. His touch was often heavy and his final pass inaccurate and on several occasions, he frustratingly found himself running down the wing and into a lane of Algerian defenders. With players like Andre Schuerrle and Lukas Podolski fighting for starting positions, Loew will find it difficult to stand by his out-of-form star.