Germany defender, Per Mertesacker, was relieved after his side beat Algeria 2-1 in extra-time on Monday night.

The Africans impressed through a very tactical and intense game, but in the end, Germany progressed through goals by Andre Schurrle and Mesut Ozil with a consolation goal by Islam Slimani in the last minute.

However, it was a hard fought victory rather than the beautiful football which Germany played in South Africa four years ago, but Merstesacker was seemingly annoyed when reporters asked why the German game didn’t click.

“What do you want from me?” he responded

“It doesn’t matter how, the only thing that matters is we are in the quarter-final.

“Do you believe there are any weak teams in the last 16?

“Do you want that we play a successful World Cup or do you want us to play beautiful football and get eliminated?

“I can’t understand your questions. We are through and we are happy.

“Algeria didn’t make it easy for us, but in the end we deserved to win.”

Following the intense 120 minutes, Germany now have three days to rest before they meet France in the quarter-final on Friday, July 4.

“Now I need to lie down in an ice bath for three days and then we can analyse the game,” Merstesacker concluded.

What did you make of Germany’s performance last night? Have your say in the comment section below.