Ozil stunner sets up date with England
GERMANY (1) VS GHANA(0)
MESUT OZIL’S stunning second half strike sent Germany to the top of Group D and earned a last 16 clash with England.
Playmaker Ozil, one of the stars of the tournament so far, settled an entertaining game at Soccer City with a sublime dipping volley from outside the box.
But Australia’s shock win over Serbia in the other group game meant Ghana also joined the Germans in the second round and will now face the USA in?Rustenburg on Saturday.
England need be wary as Germany, needing a win to be sure of qualification after their surprise defeat to Serbia, played with great tempo from the off – Cacau and Lucas Podolski both testing keeper Richard Kingson early on.
But the Black Stars were no easy pickings and the African side slowly worked their way into the match, counter-attacking with pace and purpose with Asamoah Gyan should have taken his tournament tally to three on more than one occasion – in particular which was cleared off the line by Philipp Lahm.
But it was the Germans who took the lead on the hour when Thomas Muller found Ozil in space outside the area and the highly-rated midfielder smashed a fine left-footed effort past the helpless Kingson.
Ghana, however, almost hit back immediately but Prince Tagoe’s header drew a fine block from Manchester City’s new £11m defender Jerome Boateng, who was playing against his half-brother Kevin – the first time that has happened in a World Cup.
Lahm saved Germany again with a clearance over the bar from Andre Ayew as Ghana pressed for an group-topping equaliser, but Joachim Low’s side held on to book their date with destiny with England in Bloemfontein on Sunday.