We witnessed another night of drama as all four teams in Group D had a chance to progress. Here’s how it happened:
With Conor Hogan
Germany 1-0 Ghana
Australia 2-1 Serbia
Wrap up: Germany looked impressive but struggled to break down a stubborn Ghana side tonight. In fact, it took a Mesut Ozil wonderstrike to win the game. The result of the other match (2-1 to Australia) went Ghana’s way, and as such Ghana became the only African side to make it into the next round. They are also lucky that they have, on paper at least, an easier match in the next round than the Germans (USA rather than England) and are in the easier side of the draw. Germany will fancy their chances against England in what should hopefully be an absolute cracker.
Thanks very much for joining me for what was a very enjoyable couple of matches.
Join us again for tomorrow’s games.
Good night and good luck.
Both matches are finished. Australia have beaten Serbia 2-1, but not without some controversy. Serbia had a couple of goals disallowed, and a penalty appeal turned down. Germany and Ghana both go through after the 1-0.
Full time
The best player on the pitch, Mesut Ozil, is limping. Let’s hope that he isn’t injured.
I would be very confident that Germany will beat England in the next round judging by this performance. More drama. A shout for a penalty in the Serbia match, when Tim Cahill appeared to handball but it wasn’t given. There will be three minutes of injury time.
I told you it would be exciting.
It looks like Australia are going out now. Schwarzer spilled the ball from Tosic’s effort, and Pantelic scored the rebound. 1-0 looks like it’ll suit both these teams. Although another Serbian goal would put them through on goals scored.
Goal Serbia
Podolski crosses the ball in but it goes to nobody. News of another goal from the Serbia match.
Annan has a shot from long range but it doesn’t trouble Neuer. Australia still need to make up another two goals. Their best hope might be to get a third, and for Germany to get a second. Germany might be tempted to draw this now though. Toni Kroos comes on for an injured looking Schweinsteiger (hamstring possibly).
They just showed the replay of the Holman goal on RTE. A great strike from outside the area.
Scored by Holman. Is it possible Australia could actually overturn the goal difference and go through?
Goal Australia
Tim Cahill scores with a header. Is there a better headerer (is that a word) of the ball in world football? This is good news for Ghana as Australia go level on points with Ghana, but have an inferior goal difference.
Goal Australia
Muntari has really made a difference to Ghana since coming on. They look a better team. News of a goal in the Serbia game.
Ghana had three corners in a row, which resulted in a a great chance for Dede Ayew, which was deflected over by a great Lahm tackle. The chances they’ve had!!
Sully Muntari (who had an argument with coach Milovan Rajevac during the build up to the match) comes on for Price Tagoe. Only one Prince left in the team.
Neuer drops the ball from a corner, but it’s hoofed away by Jerome Boetang (I wonder who the Boetang family will be shouting for tonight). The way the group stands, though, both Germany and Ghana will go through. Ghana would play the US, while Germany would face England.
Terrific strike from outside the box from Mesut Ozil. Incredible strike, Wigan’s number four Kingson had absolutely no chance.
Goal Germany
Ozil plays a quick pass to Muller in the box. The ball is tipped off his foot and out of play by Sarpei. Incredibly the ref gives a goal kick.
Gyan hits a shot from long range that goes straight to Neuer. Germany would really want to wake up in this second half.
Ghana scramble the ball away from a corner. They had every single player back. Ghana play a long ball forward, it beats the German defenders. Asamoah has a great chance, but blasts it at Neuer, who in all fairness made an excellent save. Best chance of the game so far.
I’m going to put my head on the blocks and predict a two goal victory for Germany. They haven’t had many chances, but I just have a feeling. Germans going out in the first round. That can’t possibly happen, can it?
Second half kicks off. No changes for either team at half time.
“Really enjoying this one,” says Mick Walsh from Ballyboden, “Imagine how good Ghana would have been with Essien. They could actually be more dangerous for England than Germany.” Don’t really agree with that Mick, they are playing well today because playing for a draw suits them. They were terrible against Australia, and I don’t know where their winner would come from against England. Germany were outstanding against Australia and were very unlucky against Serbia. It is a good game though.
Not much in the way of chances so far, but a decent game nonetheless. Ghana know that they need a draw, and that seems to suit their style of play. They are nullifying the German threath fairly comfortably. They are also pushing forward quickly on the counter attack (but frankly don’t look like scoring either).
Half time
Tackle by Muller from behind is penalised and he becomes the first German player booked. Serbia V Australia is still 0-0 aswell. Serbia have had most of the ball, and twice as many shots.
Germany win their fifth corner, Khedira gets it and runs it out of play. Just after that Ayew gets booked for a tackle on Cacau. Replay showed he got the ball but it was dangerous. Schweinsteiger crosses the ball in from the free kick, it avoids everybody and is flapped away by Wigan’s number four Kingson.
Ozil has made some great runs but his crossing leaves a lot to be desired. His ball in is deflected out for a corner. It’s taken by Schweinsteiger, and Kheidira heads harmlessly over. I know it’s a cliche but this game really needs a goal.
Ghana’s defence are coping admirably with Germany tonight, maybe they are missing Klose. He’ll be especially disappointed himself, as four more goals will make him the top goalscorer in World Cup history.
Gyan just crossed the ball straight to Neuer. I’m much more impressed by Ghana tonight than against Australia, but they still lack a cutting edge. All two of their goals in the tournament so far have come from handball penalties.
Chance for Ghana’s Kevin Prince Boetang, but Neuer picked it up at his feet. Germany had a great chance only 30 seconds later, when Ozil was put through with a great pass, but had almost too much time and hit his shot straight at Wigan’s number four Kingson.
A ball was played into Ozil, but he wasn’t able to get on to it, and Wigan’s number four Kingson safely gathered it. The other match is still 0-0 but Serbia are on top.
Ozil’s cross goes harmlessly out for a throw. Germany have had 60% of the ball so far, but despite that it’s been a very even contest. If anything Ghana have had the better chances.
If you ever wondered what the translation of Schweinsteiger into English was: it’s ‘pig climber’.
Great chance for Ghana there, Gyan’s shot blocked by Schweinsteiger. Gyan just hit the ball so far over the bar that it hasn’t come down yet. Germany look the better side but have to be careful.
At the moment Ghana and Germany (on goal difference) will be getting through, as both games are 0-0. Expect these positions to change several times tonight.
All Germany so far. Podolski’s cross is almost put into his own net by Price Tagoe. Great reactions by Wigan’s number four Kingson, who put it out for a corner.
First corner of the match for Germany. Dealt with easily by Ghana. If Germany win, they’ll be playing England in the next round. How exciting that would be!!
We’ll be keeping an eye on the Australia v Serbia match too. A win for Serbia and they will qualify. If Australia and Ghana win, Australia will get out of the group. If Germany win, Australia will need it to be an absolute hammering. Through ball played to Gyan there, intercepted by Neuer.
Cacau has the first shot of the game, but hits it straight at Wigan’s number four Kingson.
The game kicks off. A draw will be good enough for Ghana. Germany will probably need a win, but if both matches end in a draw they will qualify too. If they win they should top the group thanks to their goal difference.
Jerome Boateng starts for Germany tonight too, so he will be going up against his brother Kevin Prince. This is the first time two brothers have ever faced each other in a World Cup match.
Naturalised Brazilian Cacau starts for Germany tonight in place of Klose, who is suspended after that ridiculous red card against Serbia.
Teams:
Ghana: 22-Richard Kingson; 4-John Pantsil, 8-Jonathan Mensah, 5-John Mensah, 2-Hans Sarpei; 6-Anthony Annan, 23-Kevin-Prince Boateng, 13-Dede Ayew, 12-Prince Tagoe; 21-Kwadwo Asamoah, 3-Asamoah Gyan.
Germany: 1-Manuel Neuer; 16-Philipp Lahm, 3-Arne Friedrich, 17-Per Mertesacker, 20-Jerome Boateng, 13-Thomas Mueller, 6-Sami Khedira, 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 10-Lukas Podolski, 8-Mesut Ozil, 19-Cacau.
Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil)
