Feisty Algeria fought to the bitter end

Algeria's battling display against Germany in the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday not only won it many new admirers but also marks it as one of the favorites for next year's African Nations Cup.

Africa's last team standing after Nigeria lost to France earlier in the day, Algeria gave Germany a mighty scare, taking it to extra time in Porto Alegre before finally losing 2-1.

The Algerians were full of fight, structurally sound, disciplined and showed outstanding fitness.