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 The Germany-Algeria match in Porto Alegre is their first meeting
since the 1982 World Cup, where Algeria beat West Germany in a group
match but then were eliminated when Germany beat Austria 1-0 in a
match that both teams appeared to collude to produce a result that
allowed the two neighbors to advance.
Germany coach Joachim Loew, whose "Nationalelf" are among the
favorites to win the World Cup, has warned against complacency and
rejected suggestions that Algeria is seeking revenge for the
"Disgrace of Gijon" match 32 years ago.
The Desert Foxes, in the knock-out round for the first time, have a
perfect record against Germany with two wins in their two meetings.
Algeria are carrying the hopes of the Arab world with them after
holding Russia to a draw and overwhelming South Korea 4-2 in the
same Beira Rio stadium in Porto Alegre as Monday's showdown with
Germany.
In Monday's early match at the Brasilia national stadium, African
champions Nigeria are aiming to reach their first World Cup
quarter-final. They were eliminated in the Round of 16 in both 1994
and 1998.
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Their opponents France, the 1998 World Cup winners, have more
attempts on goal in three group matches (62) than any other team and
will be looking to Karim Benzema, with three of France's eight
goals, to lead them to a quarter-final against either Germany or
Algeria.
Nigeria won their only previous match against France 1-0 in
Saint-Etienne in 2009.
(Editing by Nigel Hunt)
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