FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Highlights: Germany vs. Nigeria and France vs. Algeria

Europe may have taken big blows in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil with the early exits of defending champions Spain and other European giants like Italy and Portugal, but the remaining teams are keeping it alive in the knockout stages. The Netherlands have already booked a place in the quarterfinals after beating Mexico and now Germany and France have bested their African opponents to create a showdown against each other in the top 8.

Nigeria and Algeria were the only two African representatives left and with their exit, the quarterfinals is now left to the Europeans and Americans. France and Nigeria's game could ahve gone either way with statistics showing that everything was fairly balanced from ball possession and number of attempts. Pogba's breakthrough goal put France just ahead and the own goal by Yobo just added insult to injury for the Nigerians.

France 2-0 Nigeria Full time

(Pogba 79', Yobo 90'+ OG)

June 30, 2014

Venue: Estadio Nacional Brasilia

Man of the Match: Paul Pogba (France)

Match Statistics:

Germany may have looked to be lethargic in the first half of the game against Algeria but as soon as they got their second wind in extra time from that openng goal and perhaps a half time pep talk as well, they completely dominated the match. Algeria were very threatening in the first half and it looked like they were due a goal when they were denied an offside header that went into the net. They never recovered and only managed to pull one back from Germany in the closing minutes of extra time which was too little too late for them.

Germany 2-1 Algeria (Extra Time)

(Schurrle 92', Ozil 120'+) (Djabou 120'+)

June 30, 2014

Venue: Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre

Man of the Match: Rais Mbolhi (Algeria)

Match Statistics: