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| Germany's Mesut Ozil flanked by Ghanaian defenders |
Germany and Ghana traded blows in a pulsating 2-2 tie
in Fortaleza on Saturday. The result leaves Germany at the top of Group
G with four points from two games; a win for the United States against
Portugal in Manaus tomorrow would give the Americans sole possession of
top spot.
After a torpid first half of patient German
possession and quick Ghanaian counterattacks, the game sprang to life in
the 51st minute, when Mario Gotze capped a long run to head home Thomas
Muller’s fine cross. The Germans had barely finished celebrating when
Ghana pulled level; Andre Ayew rose above a static German defense to
head past Manuel Neuer in the 54th minute.
The Black Stars
took a shock lead in the 63rd minute, after Sulley Muntari broke up some
sloppy German play in their own midfield to send a pass to Asamoah
Gyan. The striker raced in on goal, took one touch to control the ball
and another to fire it past the outstretched fingertips of Manuel Neuer.
But
Germany Coach Joachim Low had an ace up his sleeve: the veteran striker
Miroslav Klose. Germany won a corner, and Klose’s first action was to
pop up at the far post to poke home a loose ball that flashed across the
goalmouth. The goal was Klose’s 15th in World Cup finals play, tying
him with Brazil’s Ronaldo as the all-time leading scorer. He also became
the third player to score in four tournaments alongside Pele and
Germany’s Uwe Seeler.
Both teams had chances in a frenetic
finale, but neither could provide a winner. The result left Germany with
four points and Ghana still alive in Group G.
Germany now faces the United States in Recife on June 26. Ghana will travel to Brasilia to play Portugal.
