Round of 16 preview: Algeria v Germany

Algeria and Germany will face-off for the first time since an infamous showing at the 1982 World Cup.

Germany is undefeated so far, finishing first in Group G ahead of Portugal, the US and Ghana [EPA]

Three-time World Cup champion Germany will take on Algeria on Monday, as the Desert Warriors play their first-ever round of 16 match and vie for a spot in the quarter-finals.

The two teams will face off for the first time since an infamous 1982 game between Germany and Austria, known as the “Disgrace of Gijon”, led to Algeria’s elimination from the tournament.

“At a World Cup, there are no desirable opponents and no easy opponents, especially not in the knockout matches,” said Germany coach Joachim Loew, ahead of Monday’s game in Porto Alegre. “The Algerians have proven that they are an uncomfortable rival. We’ll be well prepared.”

Germany is undefeated so far in the tournament, having finished first in Group G ahead of Portugal, the United States and Ghana, and conceding only two goals, in a 2-2 draw with Ghana.

Meanwhile, Algeria beat South Korea and tied Russia in the group stage, after dropping its first match 1-2 to Belgium.

“This Algeria team has a lot of margin to [improve] and I suspect that we can [do] a lot better maybe in the next round against Germany,” Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic said.

The winner will go on to play France or Nigeria in the quarter-finals.

Venue: Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre

Kick-off: June 30, 2000GMT

Key stats: Algeria is one of only three countries with a perfect win record against Germany. Algeria beat Germany 2-0 in a friendly in 1964, and won 2-1 in the 1982 World Cup opener in Spain.

Germany’s Mario Goetze is expected to replace Lukas Podolski, who was ruled out on Saturday with an undescribed leg injury. Defensive midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is also set to remain in the German lineup in place of Sami Khedira.

Source: AP