GERMANY 2-2 GHANA
TEAM LINE-UPS
Germany (4-3-3): Neuer; Boateng (Mustafi 46’), Mertesacker, Hummels, Höwedes; Lahm, Khedira (Schweinsteiger 70’), Kroos; Özil, Götze (Klose 69’), Müller;
(Manager: Joachim Low)
Ghana (5-4-1): Dauda; Boye, Afful, Mensah, Asamoah; Muntari, Rabiu (Badu 78’); Boateng (Jordan Ayew 52’), Atsu (Wakaso 71’), Ayew; Gyan;
(Manager: James Kwesi Appiah)
Germany started with the same XI as that in their 4-0 thrashing of Portugal last week, while Ghana made 3 changes. Germany were relieved to have key defender Mats Hummels back after he was doubtful for the match because of a thigh injury sustained in the previous match against Portugal. Germany were rocked early by the news of star player Marco “Rolls” Reus getting ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury in a pre-World Cup friendly against Armenia (I am supporting him in injury by sporting a Reus-haircut. And boy do I look handsome!). But Die Mannschaft have tremendous depth at every position (so much so that if you made a separate team out of the players on the bench, you’d still expect them to make the quarters), and looked all set to trample Ghana in their march for the World Cup. Ghana, though, had other plans!
The Ghanaian midfield pair of Muntari and Rabiu were one booking away from a suspension after being shown a yellow card each in their last match against the US of A. The key player for Ghana was Asamoah Gyan. He scored against USA in their opener, and 4 years ago, he scored the match-winning goal to knock USA out of 2010. The Black Stars had high expectations from him. And he did not disappoint!
Trivia
1. For the second straight World Cup, this match features two brothers going head-to-head: Germany’s Jerome Boateng faces his brother Kevin-Prince Boateng, who plays for Ghana.
2. Germany won both previous matches against Ghana: 6-1 in 1993, and 1-0 in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup.
THE MATCH
With a team like Germany, you expect no holds barred! You expect them to attack and attack is what they did from the word go! In just the 4th minute, Ghana had to roll back and block a shot by Götze before it could become lethal. But, interestingly, and impressively, Ghana decided to take the match head on and started attacking, instead of just parking the bus and waiting for set pieces to come their way. Ghana was proactively created their own chances in between even though the possession was still being dominated by the Germans. The German forward trio of Müller, Özil and Götze was kept particularly busy in the first half, with Jerome Boateng and Sami Khedira often slipping up the right flank. Germany tried hard to take an early lead but the Ghana defence was spot on and did not let Germany penetrate. There were encouraging signs for Ghana in the early exchanges as Atsu fired a bullet from outside the penalty area in the 13th minute, but Neuer did not let it go past. To beat a goalkeeper of the class of Manuel Neuer is no easy task. Half an hour into the match, and it was still goalless. Following a small period of dominance from Ghana just before the 45’ mark, Khedira to Özil and the “assist machine” produced a perfect pass for Götze as he swept past the converging defenders looking to score, but he was impulsive and took the shot too early, before he could really reach that killer angle from where a shot would have meant a goal! At half time, it was still nil-nil and what would have seemed like Germany’s game to take, looked like a nicely poised fixture now. In the first half, both sides had good spells of possession but none was able to create what you would call a ‘golden chance’ to score, and with a team like Germany (known for its firepower) not being able to do that, one has got to commend the Ghanaian defence. The first half was not as fast as one would’ve liked to see, but the hot & humid conditions at Fortaleza definitely played a factor in the conservative pace of the game. And contrary to what one would expect, Neuer had been the busier of the two keepers with 2 saves.
Half-time: GER 0-0 GHA
With the start of the second-half, Germany made their first substitution with Shkodran Mustafi being brought in for Jerome Boateng. With 51’ on the clock, BREAKTHROUGH FOR GERMANY!! Mario Götze the man! Great start to the second half for Germany. Perfect ball by Thomas Müller. Waited just outside the box for Götze to run into position and found him perfectly. Not a clean hit from Götze, but Joachim Löw would take it. An untidy header, not making sweet contact but luckily for Götze, the dropping ball caught his knee and his momentum took it into the net. With an early goal in the second half, Germany were ahead in Fortaleza.
Götze – Much ‘knee’ded goal.
Germany 1-0 Ghana.
The goal forced Ghana to make their first substitution of the match. The second Boateng brother (Kevin-Prince) was now taken out of action to make way for Jordan Ayew. The start did not remain great for Germany for too long, just 3 minutes after taking the lead, they lost it to a beautiful header by Andre Ayew. Ghana equalised in just a matter of 3 minutes. A great ball by Harrison Afful, and Andre Ayew, known for his aerial abilities, perfectly guided the ball into the net past an outstretched Manuel Neuer. What a response from Ghana, coming up with the better of the two goals. Ghana back into the game!! And with this the game was back to square one essentially with both teams again trying desperately to go front.
Ayew – Immediate Response.
Germany 1-1 Ghana.
The clock ticking at 62’, momentum with Ghana, possible chance but Gyan stopped by Hummels just inside the box. A minute later, ball’s with Gyan again, this time he penetrates the German defence, Asamoahhh Gyaannnn and GOAALLLLL!!!!! Its 2-1 GHANAAA!! Unbelievable stuff! What a turnaround in this fixture…Extraordinary! Muntari on the ball forward, off to Gyan and what a finish from the Ghanian forward. Ghana are ecstatic and understandably so! And with this, Germany trail!
Gyan – Shocking Ze Germans.
Germany 1-2 Ghana.
Germany were put under more pressure in the subsequent minutes as Ghana continued to go about their game with the best form of defence: ATTACK! What a rare sight it is to see Germany trail. The pressure was starting to show on Die Mannschaft and in an attempt to get a hold on the game before Ghana could slip away with it, Joachim Löw forced a double substitution in the 70th minute. The intimidating Bastian Schweinsteiger was brought in for Sami Khedira and Mario Götze was called back to bring in the much-awaited substitution of Miroslav Klose, who, at 14 goals, is the second-highest goal scorer in World Cup history (tied with German legend Gerd Muller) and just one goal behind Ronaldo (the Brazilian one!). When you make a substitution, you want to make an impact. AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED! Immediate impact!! In just a minute of the substitution, Germany won a corner, Schweinsteiger the man to take it! He puts it in, Höwedes leaps and tries to steer it towards the far end of the post, and Miroslav Klose does the rest and comfortably puts it in! Germany equalize with Ghana!!! Klose equalizes with Ronaldo!! And after a long time do we get to see Klose’s signature flip! What a second-half this is turning out to be! WHAT A MATCH THIS IS TURNING OUT TO BE! Germany 2, Ghana 2.
Klose – The Record Breaker.
Germany 2-2 Ghana.
It is amazing how the mere presence of Bastian Schweinsteiger on the field can change the flow of the match. Germany looked much more comfortable and on their own, though they were still finding it tough to break the Ghana defence. Schweinsteiger was everywhere, rallying between Neuer and Dauda. No Ghanaian seemed to be able to get away from him. What a naturally dominating player.
As the clock was ticking to a close, Fortaleza looked more like a boxing ring with tired blows coming in alternate succession from both the teams. No one seemed to be able to break through but Germany and Ghana somehow kept it coming!
With just 10 seconds to the close, Ghana midfielder Muntari was cautioned with a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Toni Kroos. Sulley Muntari will now miss the next game against Portugal as he has collected 2 Yellows. What a blow to Ghana! Freekick Germany! Kroos to take! Kick’s wide! Whistle! It’s a Draw!
Full-time: GER 2-2 GHA
Man Of The Match: Mario Götze (GER)
CONCLUSION
This draw just opens up the group a bit. Germany are all-but-out of the tournament. And although Ghana still have a mountain of a task of beating Portugal if they want to have even the slightest of chance (if any!) of moving forward, they deserve to be given a pat on their backs for this fearless and confident performance.
From The Penalty Spot 