A spectacular second half goal by Mesut Ozil on the hour mark gave Germany a 1-0 win over Ghana on Wednesday at Soccer City in Johannesburg, sending the Germans into the World Cup second round as Group D winners.
The result sets up a succulent second-round clash between Germany and England on Sunday in Bloemfontein. Ghana were rescued by Australia’s 2-1 win over Serbia in the other Group D match and became the first African team to go through to the knockout stage as the second-place team on goal difference. They will meet Group C winners USA on Saturday afternoon in Rustenburg.
The 60th minute winner came off the left foot of Ozil, who was left unmarked at the top of the arc. In a show of great technique, he lifted the ball up with his first touch and blasted a majestic left-footed volley that easily beat Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson.
The Ghanaians responded immediately with a close-range header from Prince Tagoe which was knocked away for a corner. Then in the 66th minute Ghana’s Andre Ayew pounced on a back heel pass from forward Asamoah Gyan, but Ayew's point blank shot in the box was deflected at the last moment by German right back Philipp Lahm.
Ghana’s best look at goal came just before Ozil’s game-winning goal when Kwadwo Asamoah ran onto a flick-on header in the 51st minute. But his one-on-one shot in the box was blocked by onrushing German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Germany had a one-on-one chance of their own in the first half. Ozil beat the offside trap in the 25th minute but could not bypass Kingson.
The first half proved lively with chances on both ends. While Ghana were most dangerous on the counter, Germany were the more incisive in getting behind the opposing back line and built several attacks.
Cacau’s 30th minute shot was saved by Kingson and the goalkeeper was again called into action four minutes before the break on a Bastian Schweinsteiger free kick which drifted untouched before being punched away by the Ghana netminder.
In one of the most intriguing storylines of the match, Jerome Boateng made a surprise start at left back for Germany, pitting him against his half-brother Kevin-Prince Boateng, who played in central midfield for Ghana. The two share the same father, a Ghanaian native.
Although Kevin-Prince Boateng was born in Germany and played for the German U-21s, he decided to represent his father’s home nation. He was also involved in the controversial play during the FA Cup final in England in which his tackle injured German captain Michael Ballack, who was then forced to miss the World Cup.
Scoring Summary:
GER – Ozil 60’
Lineups (right to left):
Ghana (4-4-1-1): #22 Richard Kingson – #4 John Pantsil, #5 John Mensah, #8 Jonathan Mensah, #2 Hans Sarpei – #12 Prince Tagoe (64’ #11 Sulley Muntari), #6 Anthony Annan, #23 Kevin-Prince Boateng, #13 Dede Ayew (92’ #19 Dominic Ayidiah) – #21 Kwadwo Asamoah – #3 Asamoah Gyan (82’ #14 Matthew Amoah)
Germany (4-5-1): #1 Manuel Neuer – #16 Philipp Lahm, #17 Per Mertesacker, #3 Arne Friedrich, #20 Jerome Boateng (73’ #2 Marcell Jansen) – #13 Thomas Mueller (68’ #15 Piotr Trochowski), #6 Sami Khedira, #7 Bastian Schweinsteiger (81’ #18 Toni Kroos), #10 Lukas Podolski, #8 Mesut Ozil – #19 Cacau
Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil)
Misconduct Summary:
GHA – Ayew 40’
GER – Mueller 43’
