World Cup Report: USA 0-1 Germany

Both Germany and the USA ensured qualification for the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup following a 1-0 win for the European side in a soaking wet Recife.

The only goal came from the incomparable Thomas Muller ten minutes into the second half. Jurgen Klinsmann once again organised his side superbly to make absolutely sure of qualification.

After what was quite a drab opening to proceedings, a crisp passing move almost brought about a USA opener. Fabian Johnson carried the ball forward, before playing it into Brad Davis. He in turn found the advanced Michael Bradley and the Toronto man set Graham Zusi away on the left edge of the German area.

Zusi cut inside and curled an effort similar to that of Ahmed Musa for Nigeria yesterday. It did not have the same result though, almost clipping the outside of the post on its way wide.

On the whole the Germans struggled to penetrate the American defences for the first forty five minutes, Mesut Ozil did however breakthrough ten minutes from the half. He took aim from inside the area but Tim Howard was more than equal to it.

It must be said the first half was affected greatly by the adverse weather conditions in Recife. The rain poured down with an intensity which was mirrored by the midfield pairing of Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman. It was so wet that as the teams retreated to the dressing rooms at the break, Joachim Loew dried himself off patriotically with a German flag.

Miroslav Klose entered the fray at half time with one thing on his mind, Ronaldo’s record. The Polish born striker was close to finding that precious goal within five minutes of his introduction. Toni Kroos lofted in a cross and Klose met it with his head, he did not connect to well though and it finished inches wide of Howard’s post.

Germany found a breakthrough though, ten minutes into the second half, in fine fashion as well. Mertesacker’s header was well saved by Howard but it only found its way to Muller. He took one touch before driving a delightful curling effort into the bottom corner for his ninth world cup goal in nine outings.

With just a minute left though, the US came close twice in quick succession to drawing level. The first came when DeAndre Yedlin broke forward, it was centred to Bradley who found Alejandro Bedoya but his shot was expertly blocked by German skipper Philipp Lahm. From the throw in the block gave the US, a Bedoya cross which picked out the quiet Clint Dempsey but his close range header dipped just over the crossbar.

It didn’t matter in the end though as despite defeat the USA joined Germany in the last 16 on account of Portugal’s two one win over Ghana in Brazillia.

USA: Tim Howard: Fabian Johnson, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler, DaMarcus Beasley; Jermaine Jones, Kyle Beckerman; Graham Zusi (DeAndre Yedlin 83), Michael Bradley, Brad Davis (Alejandro Bedoya 59); Clint Dempsey.

Booked: Gonzalez (37)

Subs not used: Brad Guzan (GK), Nick Rimando (GK), John Brooks, Geoff Cameron, Timmy Chandler, Mikkel Diskerud, Julian Green, Chris Wondolowski, Aron Johansson.  

Germany: Manuel Neuer; Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Per Mertesacker, Benedikt Howedes; Philipp Lahm; Bastian Schweinsteiger (Mario Gotze 76), Toni Kroos; Mesut Ozil (Andre Schurrle 89), Lukas Podolski (Miroslav Klose 46); Thomas Muller.

Booked: Howedes (11)

Subs not used: Roman Weidenfeller (GK), Ron-Robert Zieler (GK), Erik Drum, Matthias Ginter, Shkodran Mustafi, Kevin Grosskreutz, Sami Khedira, Christoph Kramer, Julian Draxler.

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

Attendance: 41876

Extratime.com Man of the Match: Thomas Muller (Germany)