Having beaten West Germany 2-1 at the 1982 World Cup, Algeria were denied a place in the knockout stage after a now infamous victory for the Germans over Austria a few days later – with the two sides collaborating to ensure that the 1-0 scoreline required to take both through came to pass.
The issue still rankles with the North Africans, but they can console themselves with the fact that they are now making history as they go.
Qualification into the second round has been secured for the first time – some three decades too late for some - and they can take great pride in that achievement.
Algeria finished as runners-up in Group H, with a nervy 1-1 draw with Russia in their final outing taking them through at the expense of their opponents.
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic is aware that further heroics will be required if the adventure is to continue, with Germany considered by many to be favourites to go all the way.
Thomas Müller has scored nine goals in nine World Cup appearances, including four in three so far in 2014.
He said: “We are the small, small Algeria and now play against the big, big Germany. This fourth game will be more than complicated.”
Halilhodzic is expected to draft former Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra back into his starting XI, with the centre-half having been benched against Russia as Algeria freshened things up and sought to avoid any costly suspensions for those carrying yellow cards.
Germany, meanwhile, will feel that there is still more to come from them, despite making light work of a so-called ‘Group of Death’ as they collected seven points.
Their opening fixture, a 4-0 demolition of Portugal, showcased what they are capable of on their day, while battling qualities earned them a draw with Ghana and a narrow victory over USA.
Joachim Low will be hoping to draw on the positives from each of those outings as the serious business of knockout competition gets underway, but he insists there is no chance of his much-fancied side taking Algeria lightly.
He said: "If anybody thinks or believes - and I think this is a feeling among the general public - that Algeria are easy opponents and that we can already start thinking of the next round, then they're making a huge mistake.
"We must remain focused and on our toes because any complacency will be punished.
"I took a look at Algeria yesterday for an hour and I know we're up against a very compact side who run a lot and are aggressive.
"I've rarely seen a team defend so vehemently, but still attack with purpose. Their whole country is euphoric, so we're up against a strong opponents."
Low has also attempted to play down the revenge talk, although there will be no avoiding it come kick-off.
He added: "When I hear people talking about revenge, it irritates me. Apart from maybe (Miroslav) Klose or (Roman) Weidenfeller, none of our players were even born then so they have no idea what happened.
"For our players, it's not an issue."
Low has revealed that he will be persevering with Philipp Lahm in a midfield role, while he must decide whether to keep faith with Sami Khedira alongside him or offer a recall to Bastian Schweinsteiger – with the Bayern Munich man rested against the United States.
Jerome Boateng will also be hoping to be involved after shaking off a slight knee complaint, but it has been confirmed that Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski will play no part as he nurses a muscular problem – although he will be ready for the quarter-finals if Germany make it through.
by SkySports / www.FlagWigs.com
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