Germany and France will meet in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years after each advanced to the quarterfinals in Brazil.
France defeated Nigeria 2-0 on a pair of late goals yesterday before Germany beat Algeria 2-1 after extra time. The quarterfinal lineup will be completed today, when Argentina plays Switzerland in Sao Paulo and Belgium takes on the U.S. in Salvador. Brazil, Colombia, the Netherlands and Costa Rica have already advanced from the round of 16.
France lost a penalty shootout 5-4 to West Germany after a 3-3 tie in the semifinals at the 1982 World Cup. The game is notorious for a tackle by German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher that went unpunished by the match referee even though it broke the jaw of French player Patrick Battiston and left him unconscious on the field. Four years later, West Germany beat France 2-0 to reach the World Cup final.
“France-Germany has always been a classic,” Germany coach Joachim Loew told reporters yesterday. “They are always highly dramatic matches. France has done marvellously well. They are a fighting team, a strong team.”
Rio Showdown
Brazil will take on Colombia in Fortaleza on July 4 after Germany, which won the last of its three World Cups in 1990, and 1998 champion France revive their rivalry the same day in Rio de Janeiro. In eight games since the 1986 semifinal, France has five wins and Germany has two, with one draw, according to Soccerbase.com.
Photographer: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Rais M’Bolhi of Algeria saves a shot by Thomas Mueller of Germany during their 2014... Read More
Yesterday, German substitute Andre Schuerrle flicked Thomas Mueller’s pass into the goal two minutes into the first extra period in Porto Alegre to finally beat Algeria goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi, who was named the man of the match. Mesut Ozil added another goal near the end of the second period of extra time and Algeria got a goal back almost immediately from substitute Abdelmoumene Djabou to set up a hectic finish.
France advanced on two goals in the final 11 minutes in Brasilia. Paul Pogba got the breakthrough on 79 minutes with a headed goal and Nigeria’s Joseph Yobo turned the ball into his own goal in the 90th minute to make it 2-0.
