The deal with Mertesacker is that he’s not particularly quick. But he has good positional awareness and is strong in the air, his size giving him good physical presence in the box. He’s no where near as useless as detractors make him sound, but he’s not swift for sure.
Germany’s trying to phone this one in.
Funny, i was about to say that Germany is looking stronger and much more organized and impressive in the second half than they did in the first.
I agree. But Algeria are certainly not making it easy.
That was a half-decent save. 
I love the way the Algerians break out. They’re still full of running.
I feel bad for Algeria. Eventually, one of these German shots is going to go in and Algeria have really played very entertainingly all day.
I have the volume low. Have any of commentators mentioned if any of the Algerians are fasting for Ramadam? I hope fasting doesn’t preclude Gatorade, surely?
Took Germany five minutes to set up the worst free kick in history.
Fasting is supposed to preclude all food and liquids between dawn and dusk.
The Univision commentators haven’t discussed the issue, i don’t think, and the Algerian team has made a point of saying that each player should make his own decision. If the players are ignoring the fasting requirements, they would probably prefer not to talk about it too much.
Worst. Free kick. Ever.
Yes, but he made the right decision that time.
Extra time.
Free football!
True, but several players (including Özil) have said they won’t be fasting. I can’t imagine a human body could play 120 minutes of soccer in the Brazilian sun and NOT become dangerously dehydrated. I hope they have a couple IV bags of saline on the sideline just in case.
I’d give the Dutch a break for their particular performance. The humid conditions they were playing in really didn’t suit a European side. Saying that, the Dutch can be world class on some days, pretty poor on others.
Who had “Germany vs. Algeria will be tied 0-0 after regulation”? Anyone? Maybe the same people who had Costa Rica winning their group and making it to the round of 8?
Geez this World Cup is impossible to predict.
France must be ecstatic. They go through comfortably and get to face whichever team guts this out.
And Germany score. Boo!
Die Mannschaft find the back of the net.
25 minutes to go… this could get ugly. It would be a shame if Germany got to rack up a few more, but it doesn’t seem unlikely.
That was a real chance to equalize.
That’s a shame.
Algeria don’t deserve to lose 2-0.
Özil. That’s it.
And now they’re not going to lose 2-0.