0' A rematch here of the Boateng Derby from four years ago, where Germany were the ones to take three points in the group stage from Ghana. This time around, Ghana desperately needing the points, having already lost out to the USA. Germany the strong favorites here, and both Portugal and the USA will be rooting for a German victory.
15' An exciting match thus far. Both teams with chances. Germany doing well probing the Ghana defense, but Ghana with some excellent chances on the counter attack requiring a few good saves by the German keeper. This is much better play from Ghana than what we saw against the US.
30' More good play from both teams. Ghana defending well, but not being hesitant to send troops forward in the attack. Some brilliant play by Ozil and Mueller, and coming close but nothing yet. Ghana with a few good shots and opportunities themselves, definitely testing the German keeper but he's up to the task thus far. Both teams making excellent runs, and with support, but both also defending very well. A fantastic tactical match this has been.
45' Still even at the half. A wonderful show of football. Ghana with some excellent chances and not afraid to take shots on goal. Germany making excellent runs and sending in several very dangerous crosses but they just havent managed to land on the right side to slot one home just yet. Ghana are looking vulnerable to the counterattack, and if they do send all their numbers forward it might be just the advantage Germany need.
51' Finally a goal. It's Germany that open the scoring. Its Gotze who gets a head to a beautiful cross from Mueller, and Gotze gets a head to the ball, heads it straight down into his knee, but his knee sends it into goal. Not perhaps what he meant to do, but he's on the score sheet regardless.
54' Oh my, the lead doesnt last long. Its a goal for Ghana, that looks almost exactly like the opening goal by Germany. An excellent cross into the box and a beautiful header by Ayew cleanly into the far side netting. And the Ghana supporters making noise now, drowning out the Germans who themselves found energy only a few minutes earlier.
63' And Asamoah Gyan gives Ghana a 2-1 lead. Its a mistake in midfield by the Germans, and Gyan finds himself alone with the ball running in on goal and he slams it into the far side netting. An absolutely brilliant goal off the excellent steal by Muntari.
71' Its Miroslav Klose who comes to the rescue for Germany a minute after coming onto the pitch. That's his 15th career World Cup goal and ties Ronaldo for the most ever. Klose deflects it in with his foot on the far post, and its all level once more.
85' Well Ghana with a few good chances to take the lead, but playing perhaps slightly selfishly now, as a few players have chosen to take blasts at goal when perhaps a cross would have served the team better. Germany with a few good runs into defense, requiring excellent defending and goal keeping. Still some very dangerous looking crosses that Ghana have so far been able to clear, but danger not out of the way just yet.
Final' All over as a draw, and a very exciting and open second half to compliment the tactical brilliance of the first half. Germany will be unhappy with that result. Ghana still with a chance to move on, facing a must win against Portugal and perhaps needing a little help from one of the sides in the Germany USA match. Germany still needing a point in their final match against the USA to gaurantee a spot in the next round.. A great match, but another surprising result that has one of the sides tilted as possible champions being held down by an unsuspected side.
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