Porto Alegre (Brazil), July 1: Three-time champions Germany scored two goals in extra-time to eke out a narrow 2-1 win over a valiant Algeria while France defeated Nigeria 2-0 to end Africa's World Cup hopes and set up a mouth-watering quarter-final showdown against each other.

Numbers; Schedule; Results; Points Table; News; Photos

Algeria started the match as underdogs but gave Germany a run for their money at least in the regulation 90 minutes. Even though Germany were by far the better side on display in the match, the former champions failed to break a spirited Algeria defence in the regulation 90 minutes, forcing the game into extra-time. But the Germans finally rode on their class to find the back of the net in the second minute of additional time through substitute Andre Schuerrle.

West Germany had beaten France 2-1 in the semifinals of 1986 World Cup

Chelsea's Schuerrle, who came in after the interval for Mario Götze, came to Germany's rescue in the second minute of extra-time after both the teams failed to opening the scoring in the regulation 90 minutes. Schuerrle scored the first goal of the match in the 92nd minute with a sublime flick off Thomas Muller's pass before Mesut Ozil struck in the final minute of additional time to double Germany's lead. Even though Abdelmoumene Djabou scored an 11th-hour goal for the Algerians it proved too little, too late for the spirited north Africans.

The Germans will meet European rivals France at the historic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Friday after the Les Bleus ended Nigeria's campaign with a 2-0 win in Brasilia.

PTI