Where Ghana goes at the World Cup, drama follows.
The Black Stars gave Germany everything it could handle in a scintillating 2-2 draw with implications for the United States at Estadio Castelao on Saturday. Both teams grabbed the lead during a wild second stanza before a historic goal sealed the draw.
Having dismantled Portugal, 4-0, in its opening match Germany arrived in Fortaleza as the leader in Group G. Having been on the wrong end of John Brooks' dramatic last-gasp winning goal for the United States, Ghana arrived needing a positive result to keep alive its hopes of advancing to the knockout round. Once on the field together, both teams reminded everyone why Group G was dubbed the "Group of Death" with an end-to-end battle that produced four goals in the second half.
After a scoreless forty-five minutes, Germany grabbed a short-lived lead in the 51st minute when Mario Gotze knocked a cross from Thomas Muller into the net. Ghana would respond just minutes later when Andre Ayew drove a header past Germany keeper Manuel Neuer. It was Ayew who also produced the equalizer against the U.S. in Ghana's opener.
(GIF via @FlyByKnite)
(GIF via @haydenhbird)
Ghana would then go in front of the team ranked No. 2 in the latest FIFA rankings in the 63rd minute when Asamoah Gyan ran onto a through ball from Sulley Ali Muntari and sent a right-footed blast past Neuer.
With his team trailing 2-1, Germany coach Joachim Loew turned to veteran goalscorer Miroslav Klose in the 69th minute. The 36-year-old making his fourth trip to the World Cup delivered almost immediately. In the 71st minute, Klose tapped in a ball that the far post that had been flicked on by teammate Benedikt Howedes following a corner. The goal was Klose's 15th career World Cup goal, tying the record of Brazil's Ronaldo.
By holding Germany to a draw, Ghana found another way to make life difficult for the United States at the World Cup. Just days after the U.S. team finally managed to defeat them at the World Cup for the first time in three tries, the Black Stars ensured that Germany will not be qualified for the knockout stage before its final group-stage game. That match is against the U.S. on June 26. Supporters of the American team had been hoping that Germany would be safely qualified by that match and possibly play reserves as a win wouldn't be needed. With a win over Portugal on Sunday, the United States can ensure that is has qualified before facing Germany.
Related
Before You Go
