Ghana draw in Germany thriller
June 21, 2014
When Miroslav Klose took to the field on 70 minutes, things looked bleak for Germany. Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan had put the Africans ahead 2-1 in Fortaleza, a lead that was by no means undeserved.
And yet moments after Klose came on - along with Bastian Schweinsteiger - Germany's record international goalscorer netted his 70th goal for his country and his 15th in World Cup games. Those 15 match Brazilian striker Ronaldo's record tally, and the 36-year-old could hope to bag a 16th before leaving Ronaldo's homeland.
"Twenty [World Cup] games and 15 goals isn't bad, but we've got to play well against the US," Klose told ARD television after the final whistle.
"I have told the coach that I'm happy in any role," Klose said when asked whether he wanted more minutes than those of a substitute. "I just want to help the team, be it from the start or coming off the bench."
The decisive goal was a poacher's effort: Bendikt Höwedes flicked on a corner at the near-post, with Klose sliding in to provide the finishing touch from close range. Despite a flurry of late chances at either end, Klose's 71st-minute equalizer was the last goal of a frenetic second period.
Fireworks after the break
Following a goalless first half, Mario Götze lit the touch paper with a curious header five minutes after the restart. Götze headed Thomas Müller's cross straight onto his own knee, but the ball dutifully ricocheted into the Ghanaian net.
Kweshi Appiah's side, who had enjoyed the better of the chances in the first half, responded almost immediately. Three minutes after Götze's strike, Andre Ayew rose highest at the back post to head home a cross from the right flank. Shortly after the hour-mark, dangerous striker Asamoah Gyan capitalized on a Philipp Lahm error to break away in front of Manuel Neuer. He calmly blasted his shot past the Bayern keeper and into the top corner to put Ghana ahead, before Klose levelled later on.
The result keeps Ghana's hopes of escaping Group G alive, and leaves Germany with some work to do against the US on Thursday. Joachim Löw's side remains in pole position with four points from two games, although the US could take the lead in Group G with a win over Portugal on Sunday.