2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 10 - GROUP G - Germany vs Ghana 2:2
GROUP G
Germany vs Ghana 2:2
Germany: 2x
51′ Götze
71′ Klose
Ghana: 2x
54′ A.Ayew
63′ Gyan
Miroslav Klose became the joint record scorer in World Cup history as he rescued Germany a point from a breathless and dramatic game with Ghana at Estadio Castelao.
The 36-year-old Lazio striker scored with his first touch after coming on as a second-half substitute as the Germans came from behind to snatch a draw.
The goal, scored from a yard out, means Klose is now level with former Brazil striker Ronaldo on 15 goals.
Germany were, however, fortunate to escape with a point. Having taken a fortuitous lead through Mario Gotze's unorthodox header.
Ghana came roaring back to score twice in nine minutes through Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan, to the huge delight of the vast majority of the crowd.
Joachim Low, the Germany coach, turned to the experience of Klose and the veteran did not disappoint as he prodded in to keep his side top of Group G.
The result means Germany, who move on to four points, have still only won their second game of a World Cup once since 1994. At Euro 2008, and at the 2010 World Cup, they followed up opening wins with defeats.
Ghana keep alive their chances of qualification for the last 16 but will have to beat Portugal in their final game to have a chance.
With temperatures in excess of 30C at the start, the tempo was understandably slow for much of the first half.
A series of pinball passing movements between Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze threatened to create an opening for Germany.
But in the stifling heat of Fortaleza, Ghana restricted their most celebrated opponents to half chances and blocked shots in an underwhelming opening 45 minutes.
Ghana had won over the neutrals by the interval by creating arguably the best chances but, within six minutes of the re-start, Germany were in front.
Muller found a yard of space, looked up and picked out Gotze's run. The Bayern Munich forward did not make clean contact, heading the ball on to his knee, but the ball still deflected beyond Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda.
KEY FACTS:
Miroslav Klose is only the third player in World Cup history to score in four different editions of the competition (after Pele and Uwe Seeler).
Asamoah Gyan equalled Roger Milla's record of five goals, they are the two highest scoring Africans at World Cups.
Per Mertesacker became the 13th player to appear 100 times for Germany.
Ghana rose to find hope and purpose. Three minutes later they levelled to send Estadio Castelao into raptures, Andre Ayew leaping to head home Harrison Afful's wonderful right-wing cross.
More drama was to come nine minutes later, as Ghana went ahead with a goal that stemmed from a rare mistake by Philipp Lahm.
Muntari pounced on the loose ball and slipped an inch-perfect ball through for Gyan, who fired firmly beyond goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Germany turned to the experience of Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger to stem the flow, with Ghana sensing an upset.
It was a move that paid off almost immediately as Klose scored with his first touch to equal the World Cup scoring record and bring Germany level.
Benedikt Howedes headed a corner towards the net and, just as it was about to cross the line, Klose prodded in to breathe life into Germany's hopes.
Ghana began to tire as Germany pushed on.
Toni Kroos found Muller but a brave block by Ayew denied him. Jonathan Mensah threw his body on the line soon after as Germany poured forward but Ghana went close themselves through Christian Atsu and Gyan.
Neither team deserved to lose but both might have had more than a point.
Mario Gotze has scored three goals in his last three appearances for Germany and four in five in 2014
Ghana's Andre Ayew turns away in celebration after equalising
Asamoah Gyan has scored in each of his last three World Cups for Ghana
Ghana fans were out in force at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza
Miroslav Klose equalised with his first touch of the ball, 112 seconds after coming on as a sub
LINEUP
GERMANY
01 Neuer
20 Boateng (Mustafi - 45' )
04 Höwedes
16 Lahm
17 Mertesacker
05 Hummels
06 Khedira (Schweinsteiger - 70' )
18 Kroos
13 Müller
08 Özil
19 Götze (Klose - 69' )
Substitutes
02 Großkreutz
03 Ginter
07 Schweinsteiger
09 Schürrle
10 Podolski
11 Klose
12 Zieler
14 Draxler
15 Durm
21 Mustafi
22 Weidenfeller
23 Kramer
GHANA
16 Dauda
23 Afful
20 Asamoah
11 Muntari Booked
21 Boye
19 Mensah
07 Atsu (Wakaso - 71' )
17 Rabiu (Badu - 78' )
03 Gyan
09 Boateng (J.Ayew - 52' )
10 A.Ayew
Substitutes
01 Adams
02 Inkoom
04 Opare
05 Essien
06 Acquah
08 Badu
12 Larsen Kwarasey
13 J.Ayew
14 Adomah
15 Sumaila
18 Waris
22 Wakaso
Ref: Sandro Meira Ricci
Att: 59,621
Story of the match:
• Klose becomes all-time joint record scorer in World Cup
• Germany move to four points in Group G
• Ghana come from behind to take lead
• Klose equalises with first touch
Thierry Henry
"I said I didn't know if Ghana would come back if Germany scored first, but I was proved wrong. But Jordan Ayew had the chance to put Ghana 3:1 up and he didn't pass to his team-mates who were better positioned. We said at the time that Ghana would pay for that - and they paid."
(Former France and Arsenal striker, Match of the Day analyst)
Jérôme, George and Kevin-Prince Boateng
Germany
Ghana