A spirited performance wasn’t enough for Essaid Belkalem and Algeria as the Africans exited the World Cup at the last 16 stage after a 2-1 extra time defeat to Germany.
The Hornets centre-back, who only made ten appearances for Watford last season, played the entire contest for his country and impressed.
The game was goalless at full time after Algeria more than matched Germany throughout the 90 minutes.
However, less than 120 seconds after the restart Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle put the Germans ahead as he back heeled a shot into the net from close range.
Algeria continued to battle and created problems. But in the closing moments of extra time, Belkalem cleared a Schurrle effort off the line and the rebound fell to Mesut Ozil who lashed the ball home to double the Germans lead.
The African side managed to grab a consolation goal and it was one they more than deserved.
Abdelmoumene Djabou volleyed in at the back-post in the dying seconds but it ultimately wasn’t enough and it is Germany who will take on France in the quarter finals.
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