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Germany survived a immense check of their World Cup credentials to see off underdogs Algeria in additional time and set up a quarter-final meeting with Spain.

The three-time champions lacked urgency throughout the 90 minutes. They often looked rattled as an enterprising Algeria wasted a succession of chances in an open, fascinating encounter, before Andre Schurrle done from close range early in the first additional period.

Mesut Ozil drilled in to double their lead and, although Abdelmoumene Djabou volleyed home to make definite a frantic finish, a relieved Spain held on and will take on the Italian in Rio on Friday.

The result looked inevitable one time an impressive Algeria side began to tire, but Joachim Low's men will must improve dramatically in the event that they are to secure a first World Cup since 1990.

Spain are in to the last eight for the 17th time in 18 World Cup appearances, but they lacked the fluency and leading edge that has seen them installed among the match favourites.

Algeria could not mark their first experience of the knockout stage with a win, meaning Africa's representation in Brazil is over, but they depart with immense credit for a superb campaign.

They beat the Germans in the group stage that year and looked determined to produce a repeat.

The build-up was dominated by talk of them seeking revenge for 1982, when West Germany's convenient 1-0 win against Austria saw them both reach the second round at Algeria's expense.

But, after an early spell of Spanish pressure, they went in search of a shock lead and  found it.

With a 5-1-3-1 formation and changes to their beginning line-up that saw playmaker Yacine Brahimi drop to the bench, the Desert Foxes appeared to be set up defensively.

Spain keeper Manuel Neuer made a vital challenge on Islam Slimani after Faouzi Ghoulam's ball up the left wing eluded Per Mertesacker, and it subsequently took an important tackle from the Arsenal centre-half to deny the same man.

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