Andre Schurrle hopes his strong performance for Germany against underdogs Algeria will lead to a starting berth against France in the World Cup quarter-finals tonight.

Schurrle scored Germany's first goal early in extra time in their 2-1 victory in the round of 16 on Monday and he gave his struggling teammates a boost after coming off the bench at half-time. He had played just 29 minutes before that in two group matches.

"I feel much better as a starter and everyone wants to be on the pitch at the kickoff," the Chelsea forward said when asked if he felt he now deserved a spot in the starting XI.

"I'd be delighted to have the chance to start tonight. I'm really fired up.

"I feel good, I feel in form and I'm really glad I finally got the chance to play more in the last match."

Schurrle's performance against Algeria was singled out for praise back home in Germany, where expectations of a fourth World Cup title are running high for this "golden generation" that has made it to the semi-finals in the last two World Cups.

"I haven't got a clue if I'll start or not," Schurrle said. "We'll find out on match day and let's wait and see if there are any surprises."

Schurrle brought badly needed speed and courage into the attack against Algeria after a desolate first half that coaches admitted was Germany's poorest 45 minutes of the tournament.

His goal that broke the scoreless deadlock two minutes into extra-time was probably the best - and certainly most important - of Germany's nine goals so far in the tournament.

Schurrle sped towards the goal and flicked in a deflected cross from Thomas Mueller with the heel of his back foot.

The Stamford Bridge star man has been exempted from the swirling criticism back home about the team's struggles with three narrow, colourless wins after their spectacular 4-0 opening victory over Portugal.

He said winning was the only thing that matters now.

"There's always criticism when you don't play well," he said. "But we advanced and that's all that counts.

Meanwhile German boss Joachim Low has confirmed seven of his squad have flu symptoms, although he said last night: "It's not that bad."