Match ends, Germany 2, Ghana 2.
GermanyGermany2GhanaGhana2
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
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.
The European side took a fortuitous lead through Mario Gotze's unorthodox header, but 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.
Line-ups
Germany
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Neuer
- 17Mertesacker
- 4Höwedes
- 5Hummels
- 20BoatengSubstituted forMustafiat 45'minutes
- 16Lahm
- 6KhediraSubstituted forSchweinsteigerat 70'minutes
- 18Kroos
- 19GötzeSubstituted forKloseat 69'minutes
- 8Özil
- 13Müller
Substitutes
- 2Großkreutz
- 3Ginter
- 7Schweinsteiger
- 9Schürrle
- 10Podolski
- 11Klose
- 12Zieler
- 14Draxler
- 15Durm
- 21Mustafi
- 22Weidenfeller
- 23Kramer
Ghana
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 16Dauda
- 21Boye
- 23Afful
- 19Mensah
- 20Asamoah
- 7AtsuSubstituted forWakasoat 71'minutes
- 17RabiuSubstituted forBaduat 78'minutes
- 9BoatengSubstituted forJ Ayewat 52'minutes
- 11MuntariBooked at 90mins
- 10A Ayew
- 3Gyan
Substitutes
- 1Adams
- 2Inkoom
- 4Opare
- 5Essien
- 6Acquah
- 8Badu
- 12Larsen Kwarasey
- 13J Ayew
- 14Adomah
- 15Sumaila
- 18Waris
- 22Wakaso
- Referee:
- Sandro Meira Ricci
- Attendance:
- 59,621
Match Stats
Home TeamGermanyAway TeamGhana
- Possession
- Home62%
- Away38%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away18
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away6
- Corners
- Home7
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away17
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Germany 2, Ghana 2.
Booking
Sulley Ali Muntari (Ghana) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Toni Kroos (Germany) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Sulley Ali Muntari (Ghana).
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Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Sulley Ali Muntari (Ghana).
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Offside, Ghana. Emmanuel Badu tries a through ball, but Mubarak Wakaso is caught offside.
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Corner, Germany. Conceded by Jonathan Mensah.
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Attempt missed. Miroslav Klose (Germany) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Philipp Lahm.
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Attempt missed. Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Harrison Afful.
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Attempt saved. Jordan Ayew (Ghana) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Foul by Miroslav Klose (Germany).
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Kwadwo Asamoah (Ghana) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Corner, Germany. Conceded by Jonathan Mensah.
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Toni Kroos (Germany) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Mubarak Wakaso (Ghana).
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Foul by Shkodran Mustafi (Germany).
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André Ayew (Ghana) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Germany. Conceded by Kwadwo Asamoah.
