SANTO ANDRE, Brazil, (Reuters) – Manuel Neuer, the latest in a long line of outstanding German goalkeepers, took the plaudits yesterday after almost single-handedly keeping the Germans’ wobbly defence together in a 2-1 extra-time win over Algeria in the World Cup last 16.
In arguably his best performance for his country, Neuer stopped seven Algeria shots and defused a number of dangerous counter-attacks playing like a sweeper with an astonishing 19 touches of the ball outside the penalty area and 59 in total.
“I didn’t change my style of play – I’ve often played like that for Bayern Munich and the ‘Nationalmannschaft’,” Neuer told reporters after his charges to the edge of the area and beyond had fans on the edge of their seats around the world.
Although he was already known for his field play, Neuer probably had more sprints out of the area against Algeria than he does in a half season at Bayern.
“I had to play like that because the pitch was wet,” said Neuer, one of the world’s top goalkeepers. “I had to risk my neck at times. Sure there was a risk but I had to take the chance.”
Neuer, like his illustrious Germany predecessors Oliver Kahn, Jens Lehmann, Andreas Koepke and Sepp Maier, has been a stalwart for his country since making his debut in 2009.
