With the
most instinctive extension of his leg at the far post on Saturday night,
Miroslav Klose moved one step closer to immortality.
This is how the really great goal scorers do it; without fuss. It’s their job and to people like Klose it comes naturally.
In
scoring the 15th goal of his remarkable World Cup career, the German
centre forward – on as a second half substitute – edged level with the
Brazilian Ronaldo at the top of the all-time table. Perhaps just as
importantly to him, he moved ahead of his compatriot, the great Gerd
Mueller.
Prolific: Miroslav Klose scores his 15th international goal at World Cups for Germany to make it 2-2
High flyer: Miroslav Klose celebrates scoring Germany's second goal against Ghana on Saturday evening
Can't believe it: Ghana keeper Fatau Dauda shows his anger after Germany score to level the game at 2-2
Head boy: Mario Goetze (centre) drifts between two defenders to score the opening goal for Germany
Back of the net: Mario Goetze scores the opening goal for Germany against Ghana
On form: Mario Goetze celebrates his third goal in as many appearances for Germany
MATCH FACTS
GERMANY: Neuer
6; Boateng 6 (Mustafi 45mins 5.4), Mertesacker 6, Hummels 6, Howedes
6; Lahm 7; Khedira 6.5 (Schweinsteiger 69mins 7), Kroos 7; Mueller 6),
Ozil 7, Goetze 7 (Klose 69mins 7.5).
GOALS: Gotze 51, Klose 71
GHANA:
Dauda 7; Afful 6.5, Mensah 6.5, Asamoah 6, Boye 6; Boateng (J Ayew
51mins 6.5 ), Muntari 6, A Ayew 7.5, Atsu 7 (Wakaso 71mins 6); Rabiu 6
(Badu 77mins 6); Gyan 8
GOALS: Ayew 54, Gyan 63
REFEREE: Sandro Ricci
But, most importantly of all, Klose saved his team and his nation.
Reeling
from a stunning Ghana assault midway through the second half, Germany
were trailing 2-1 in Fortaleza. For a few moments they looked as though
they would join Italy, England and Spain in the World Cup hall of shame.
Important
players do important things, though, and when the big German defender
Bendikt Howedes rose to flick on a corner 19 minutes from time, Klose
was in the right place to earn his team a point.
In
recent times, Klose has replaced the somersault that used to follow his
big goals with a simple pump of the fist. On Saturday, though, the
acrobatics were back.
'I don't know how long it’s been since I did a somersault. but at least it worked out,' he smiled afterwards.
Klose
now has 70 international goals to his name from 133 games. It is a
remarkable record and he had been tied with Mueller in the World Cup
list since he scored twice in a 4-0 quarter-final win over Argentina
four years ago in Cape Town.
Level best: Andre Ayew (right) rises above the German defence to head home for Ghana
No chance: A full stretch Manuel Neuer is unable to stop Andre Ayew equalising for Ghana
Saviour: Andre Ayew celebrates scoring for Ghana against Germany on Saturday night
These days, of course, he is not first choice.
Bayern
Munich’s Thomas Muller is the modern go-to man and Klose perhaps
arrived in Brazil not expecting to see much action. This was his first
appearance of the tournament and his goal came from pretty much his
first touch.
Germany
needed it, too, as another night of gripping, unexpected drama
threatened to provide us with one more upset. How odd that was, too, as
Germany did look as though they were going to coast to the top of the
group with maximum points after shading the first half and then taking
the lead.
The
German midfield functioned brilliantly at times in the opening period
with Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil imposing himself on the tournament for the
first time after a quiet game against Portugal and Toni Kroos looking
the measured, astute passing footballer we know him to be.
There were chances for the Germans during this time but they couldn’t take them.
Stunner: Asamoah Gyan fires past Manuel Neuer to put Ghana ahead against Germany
Dancing feet: Asamoah Gyan and his Ghana team-mates celebrate in spectacular after going 2-1 up
They
almost scored a super goal in the eleventh minute as a Muller back heel
gave Kroos the chance to shot. The ball may have found the corner, too,
had it not struck a defender’s shin.
Kroos
and Ozil were combining very well as the half progressed and the two of
them created an opening for Sami Khedira in the 18th minute only for
the goalkeeper to save. Ozil then crossed low from the right for Muller
who was denied by a tackle from John Boye.
Momentum
was certainly building for Germany but for a while they couldn’t break
through. Kroos shot over from distance and then Ozil chipped a pass
through for Mario Goetze, whose volley found the goalkeeper’s midriff.
Good Christian: Atsu tries to curl the ball around Mats Hummels as Ghana search for a goal
Flexible: Jonathan Mensash spectacularly falls to the ground during Ghana's game with Germany
Goetze
was eventually to score the opening goal but he had to wait until the
51st minute to do it. A cross from Muller deep on the right found the
Bayern Munich player squeezing in between defenders and his header ended
up in the net off his own right knee.
In
the lead at last, Germany looked set to consolidate as they often do.
It didn’t happen, though, and three minutes later Ghana caught them cold
with an equaliser before taking the lead and turning the whole night on
its head.
Again
the cross came from the right for the equaliser and it was Andre Ayew
who climbed above the static Shkodran Mustafi to head powerfully to
Manuel Neuer’s right and in to the corner.
For Germany to concede one goal was
careless but for them to concede again a few minutes later was criminal.
This time they were architects of their own downfall as they gave the
ball away in midfield and watched the superb Asamoah Gyan race away and
score powerfully with his right foot.
Bloodied: Thomas Muller goes down after a colliding with John Boye of Ghana (not pictured)
Down and out: Thomas Muller and John Boye cllashed on the final whistle
Family affair: Germany's Jerome Boateng (left) embraces his brother Kevin-Prince Boateng before kick off
With
Ghana energised and full of adrenaline now, Germany all of a sudden
looked a different team and the Africans poured forward.
Had
the irrepressible Gyan found the corner instead of Neuer’s midriff
after flying down the left in the 66th minute then the game could have
been over.
As
it was, Klose and Sebastien Schweinsteiger were sent on immediately and
after the former scored the latter ambled forwards to head another
chance over.
In
to the final stages and Germany could have won it. The breaking Muller
was tackled brilliantly by Kwadwo Asamoah and then – two minutes in to
added time – Klose spurned the chance to make history. With three weeks
of this tournament to run, you wouldn’t bet against it happening would
you?
Post a CommentDefault CommentsFacebook Comments