World Cup 2014 Report: Germany's champion credentials put to the test in extra time win

Valid Halidhozic's Algeria side were ultimately disappointed last night

The most one-sided Last 16 clash according to the pre-match betting - Germany 1.141/7 to qualify versus Algeria 8.07/1 - turned out to be a real test of mettle for Joachim Low's young but experienced side...

Having ridden out an early storm of intent-filled, incisive attacking play from the North Africans, Germany became the better side, but try as they might - and they tried! - they couldn't find a way past the calm excellence of Algerian stopper, Ras M'Bohli, during normal time. Pre-match 0-0 backers celebrated a 17.5n/a winner.

In the opening half hour of the match, Algeria had unlocked the German defence at will, with Manuel Neuer called into the role of auxiliary sweeper on multiple occasions to deal with threatening balls played in behind the beleaguered Mertesacker and Boateng.

Backers of the Germans to win the World Cup will be concerned that more composed attackers - such as Karim Benzema or Mathieu Valbuena - might make more of the acreage the Algerians discovered behind the German back four, but were unable to exploit.

However, having witnessed France underwhelm for long periods against Nigeria, and then seen Germany progress against an Algerian side who performed at the widely agreed upper limit of their ability, it's Low's side who remain firmly in favour with Betfair customers for Friday's clash of the European superpowers.

Germany remain available at 5.59/2 for 2014 Winner. Prior to kick-off, they'd been trading at odds of 11.5n/a to beat Algeria in extra time.

Thomas Muller, following an epic but ultimately futile battle to get the ball past M'Bohli drifts in the betting for Golden Boot as he remains on four goals, one behind James Rodriguez.