Algeria coach weeps as fans take pride in defeat.

“We had 1982 in the back of our minds, obviously,” Algeria fan Hamzi told me after his side’s heart-breaking 2-1 extra-time defeat to Germany in the last 16 of the World Cup.“We wanted revenge. We couldn’t get the result, but in our hearts we won.”I was speaking to supporters after Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic failed to turn up at the post-match press conference.After weeping on the pitch with his brave players, he couldn't bear to speak of his undoubted pride at what would have been one of the great World Cup upsets.

Before this gut-wrenching loss in Porto Alegre, the North Africans had the enviable statistic of a 100 per cent record against the European powerhouses.Sure, they had only played twice – the first being the North African team’s shock 2-1 victory at the 1982 World Cup in Spain – but, for a nation outside the traditional forces of world football, any such mark is impressive.Despite that famous win, Algeria were knocked out in the group stage – after what was then West Germany would collude with neighbours Austria to get the 1-0 win that was required to send both through at the expense of the Desert Foxes, and Chile.

That 'anschluss' was dubbed the Disgrace of Gijon, the location of that fateful match, and led FIFA to structure future World Cups so that final group matches were played simultaneously.

Algeria fans remember the 'anschluss' of 1982

It is ironic that, by beating Germany 32 years ago, Algeria ended up the victims, and that this time they were hoping for revenge in victory.But morally they may well feel vindicated, with Germany’s performance almost embarrassing given their status as one of the tournament favourites.