Klose equals record as Germany and Ghana draw epic
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Updated 22/06/2014 at 12:07 GMT
World Cup Group G, Fortaleza - Germany 2 (M. Götze 51' M. Klose 71') Ghana (André Ayew 54' A. Gyan 63')
Klose trifft zum 2:2 gegen Ghana
Image credit: Eurosport
Miroslav Klose equalled Ronaldo’s World Cup scoring record, finding the net with his first touch after coming on in Germany’s exhilarating 2-2 draw with Ghana.
A cagey first half saw few clearcut opportunities created, with Thomas Muller looking lively and Sulley Muntari testing Manuel Neuer with a long-range drive.
However, Germany took the lead when Mario Goetze headed home, with the help his own knee, from a Muller delivery into the penalty area.
Yet Ghana hit back almost immediately, with Andre Ayew scoring a header of his own, getting on the end a floated cross to power past Neuer.
The game was growing increasingly stretched, and Ghana made the most of that, taking the lead just after the hour mark, with Asamoah Gyan picking his spot after being played through by Sulley Muntari.
But with doubt creeping into the German players’ minds Klose scored with his first touch of the match having been brought on as a substitute, opportunistically turning home at the back post from a Benedikt Howedes flick-on to make it 2-2.
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Miroslav Klose who celebrates his 15th goal in the World Cup
Image credit: AFP
KEY EVENTS
50’ OPENER – The breakthrough has finally been made! Muller picks out Goetze with a pass from deep, and the Bayern Munich player heads onto his own knee and into the net.
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3D Goal: Mario Gotze (Germany v Ghana)
54’ EQUALISER – Ghana draw level almost immediately! Ayew fights for the cross into the box and gets his head on the delivery to head past a helpless Neuer!
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3D Goal: Andre Ayew (Ghana v Germany)
63’ GOAL – Wow! Muntari slots a pinpoint pass in between two German defenders for Gyan, who picks his spot and finds it with an assured finish.
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3D Goal: Asamoah Gyan (Ghana v Germany)
70’ RECORD GOAL – Klose has scored with his first touch! And he's equalled Ronaldo's World Cup record of 15 goals. And what a huge goal it could be!
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3D Goal: See Miroslav Klose equal Ronaldo's record
84’ MULLER CHANCE – What a chance for Muller! He's played clean through on goal, but Asamoah doesn't give it up and makes a last ditch tackle to prevent the Bayern Munich man from giving Germany the lead.
85’ BLOCK – Ozil gets in behind the Ghana defence and plays a great pass across the face of goal, but Mensah gets a desperate block in before it can reach Klose and puts it over his own goal.
89’ COUNTER ATTACK! - HUGE chance for Klose! Schweinsteiger plays a great pass to split the Ghanaian defence, but with time and space to pick his spot the striker puts his shot wide of the target. Thought that was the moment!
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Germany - Ghana
Image credit: Eurosport
KEY STATS
Miroslav Klose scored with his first touch of the ball, 112 seconds after coming on as a sub.
Klose has equalled Ronaldo’s record of 15 goals at World Cup finals.
Both players scored their 15th goal against Ghana.
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.
Gyan has now scored in three World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014).
Germany have scored in 19 of their last 20 World Cup group games.
Thomas Muller now has eight goals and four assists in eight World Cup appearances.
Mario Götze has scored three goals in his last three appearances for Germany, and four in five in 2014.
Per Merteacker became the 13th player to appear 100 times for Germany.
Germany have won their second World Cup group game on just one occasion since 1994 (D4 L1).
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Götze im Spiel gegen Ghana
Image credit: Eurosport
TALKING POINT
Will Germany’s defence cost them at the World Cup? As always, Germany are one of the favourites to lift the World Cup. From an attacking perspective they are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the tournament, but their defence is far from a picture of German efficiency. They looked shaky when faced with the pace and directness of Ghana’s counter attacks. Will that be further exposed over the next few weeks?
MAN OF THE MATCH
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Ghana's Andre Ayew (2nd R) heads the ball to score a goal during their 2014 World Cup Group G (Reuters)
Image credit: Reuters
Andre Ayew - Ghana’s goalscorer from their first match against the USA turned in an even better performance against Germany, combining wonderfully with his brother Jordan Ayew after his introduction just after the break. He was a constant threat and scored an excellent equaliser, which changed the tone of the contest.
PLAYER RATINGS
Germany – Neuer 6, Boateng 5, Mertesacker 5, Hummels 6, Howedes 4, Khedira 5, Lahm 4, Kroos 6 , Ozil 7, Gotze 7, Muller 8. Subs: Mustafi 6, Klose 8, Schweinsteiger 7.
Ghana – Dauda 6, Asamoah 6, Mensah 6, Boye 5, Afful 7, Mutari 6, Rabiu 5, Ayew 8, Boateng 5, Atsu 6, Gyan 7. Subs – Ayew 6, Wakaso 5, Badu 6.
THE MATCH IN A TWEET
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