A thriller of a game saw Germany remain undefeated at the top of Group G, while Ghana got off the mark with a very impressive point against one of the favoured teams in the competition.
Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle lined up on the Germany bench while former blue Michael Essien was on the Ghana substitutes as he continued to nurse an ankle injury. Christian Atsu, the Chelsea man who spent last season out on loan, kept his place in the Ghanaian eleven.
There were also familiar faces in the shape of Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil who started in the Germany side who were looking to build on their 4-0 demolition of 10-man Portugal while Ghana were looking to get their first points on the board following their 2-1 defeat to the USA.
Despite being very much the underdogs, Ghana were having the best early chances, one of the most notable being Gyan’s snapshot after a cross from the right. The former Sunderland man saw his shot go well over the bar but it was certainly a signal of intent from the Black Stars. Germany were, as expected, having the better possession but were failing to create any excitement for their travelling fans in the Estadio Castelao.
Ghana’s Sulley Muntari had the best effort of the first half, from near enough 35 yards, forcing a save from Germany’s Manuel Neuer. The left foot of the AC Milan man forced a shot that Neuer would be expected to save, but the power of it meant he could only parry it instead of taking it into his body. If nothing else, it certainly raised the Ghanaian noise inside the ground.
Germany’s only real chance were coming from their creative players, such as Gotze and Ozil, looking to feed Muller who thrives under balls into the danger area. However, they could create nothing of note during the first 45 and it was goalless at the break.
The Black stars got the game underway and the first few minutes threw up very few chances as Ghana looked to strengthen their slight hold over the game that they found in the first half.
However, in the 51st minute, Thomas Muller, who got a hat-trick against Portugal, turned provider for his team as he provided an inch perfect cross for Bayern team mate Mario Gotze, who bundled the ball across the line as his header deflected off his own knee to give the Germans the lead.
This appeared to give the Ghanaians the slight lift in ergency that they needed in their attacks, as Andre Ayew rose to meet Harrison Afful’s cross and equalise instantly. A much cleaner header than that down the other end just 3 minutes earlier meant that Gotze’s opener was cancelled out. One-a-piece on 54 minutes.
The African side completely turned the game on its head after staying organised since their eqaliser, and ten minutes after their first goal the Black Stars had a second. Philipp Lahm’s pass in the midfield area was lackluster and well seen off by Sulley Muntari, who set Gyan away who was not going to pass up an opportunity for his country to take the lead. 2-1 to the underdogs.
The Germans replied with a souble substitutuion, significantly bringing on Miroslav Klose for Mario Gotze. Klose needed just one goal to equal Ronaldo’s haul of 15 World Cup goals.
And, as so often happens, he got the all important goal. With his first touch since entering play, he latched onto a flicked header from a corner to steal the goal that equalled the record and, most importantly, brought Germany level. It was fitting that he would score such a huge goal in his infamous ‘poaching’ fashion.
Asamoah did brilliantly to pull off a perfectly timed challenge on Thomas Muller as he looked certain to bare down on goal and win it for Germany five minutes from the end, but the Juve man got a strong foot on the ball.
Ghana had a chance to break late on but were prevented by an offside, and Germany failed to win it with the last freekick of the game in the final minute. That freekick was given away by Sulley Muntari who will miss his sides crucial game against Portugal.
A thriller of a second half, which saw a record equalled and four goals, was brought to an end by the referee which left Ghana with a very admirable point.
Chelsea’s Christian Atsu was arguably Ghana’s best player for the second time, but the winger’s ball in the final third was somewhat dissapointing again. However, he proivded very important outlet for the Ghanaians when they looked to break on the Germans.
Full time: Germany 2-2 Ghana
