Germany defeated Algeria 2-1 on Monday afternoon to setup a quarterfinals matchup with France next Friday. Here are some observations regarding the matchup.

1. This is not the 2010 Algeria team
Four years ago, Algeria struggled in a rather simple group and did not manage to score a single goal. The team was not particularly convincing in qualifying for this tournament so expectations were rather low. When looking at their group to start the World Cup, many pundits had Algeria as the fourth place side. Not only did they finish second but they outscored every other team in the group with six goals and only three conceded.

The team made history by getting out of the group but when everyone saw the matchup, it was pre-emptively declared that it was the least interesting of the matchups. Afterall, who would really imagine that the Middle Eastern nation would stand up and face a titanic side that has made the semifinals in each of the last three World Cups. It seemed like a nice draw for Germany after the horrific group it had endured to start the World Cup.

But it was not meant to be. The Algerians played with a tenacity throughout the game that made them the more exciting side throughout. They played with tremendous speed that unsettled Germany's high line numerous times and forced goalie Manuel Neuer to make several of his heart attack-inducing runs out of the penalty area. If not for some of Neuer's risk taking, Algeria could have wrapped things up in the opening half.

But the offense was not the only riveting aspect of Algeria's play. The defense was extremely well-organized and barely allowed the German side many clearcut opportunities. And when the Germans did find the breakthrough, goalie Rais M'Bohli was more than up to the task to keep his team alive.

In the end they lost 2-1, but they have nothing to be sad about. The team not only put up a terrific fight but managed to score a goal when it looked like the game was over and could have equalized right before the final whistle. This is a very good team indeed and this matchup alone showed that the gaps between the traditional powers and the "lesser" sides is closing rapidly.

2. Germany may not be the contender many expected
As noted earlier, Germany has made the semifinals of the tournament three straight times at World Cup and coach Joachim Low has stated that it is win or bust for him and his job security. Despite the win, he might as well start thinking about finding another job because Germany has yet to prove that it is a worldbeater in this tournament. The team demolished Portugal so comprehensibly that it looked the Germans would be the champions. But then the game against Ghana proved that the first encounter with the Iberian nation was a matter of everything going perfectly. Maybe too perfectly. Germany struggled at times against Ghana and then showed some weaknesses in its final match against the United States.

Those weaknesses came to forefront against Algeria, which was supposed to be the team's easiest matchup yet. "Tiki tachen" was far from effective despite giving Germany the possession edge and a number of players, most notably Benedikt Howedes underwhelmed on the evening. Howedes has not been particularly good in this tournament and his continued inclusion in this squad is frustrating as he adds little offensively and makes numerous defensive mistakes.

Four years ago, Germany was the highest-scoring team in the tournament. This year, the Germans have nine goals in a higher scoring tournament.

3. Andre Schurrle must start vs. France
The Chelsea player came on at halftime and had a huge impact on Germany's attacking game. The team looked sluggish in the opening half but got better as the game wore on. It was no surprise that the improvement had a lot to do with Schurrle and it was no surprise that when the team did find the elusive goal, it was Schurrle to the rescue. Mario Gotze, the man who Schurrle replaced, had a great start to the tournament, but has slowly disappeared as the tournament has worn on. Maybe it is time for the youngster to sit on the bench and make way for a player who looks more in-form at this point. Another option would be to bench Mesut Ozil, who despite scoring the eventual winner, was not particularly good for his nation. Ozil has struggled all year long with his form and he did not make a particularly strong case for himself in this game.