Johannesburg: Mesut Oezil scored on a left-footed blast from outside the area on Wednesday to give Germany a 1-0 win over Ghana and first place in Group D at the World Cup. Despite the defeat, Ghana also advanced to the round of 16 — taking second place in the group with four points. Australia also finished with four points but Ghana were ahead on goal difference.
Ghana are the first of the six African teams in the tournament to make it to the knockout phase and it could be the last. Only Ivory Coast still have a chance to join the final 16.
Once the scoreboard had flashed the result of the Australia's match with Serbia — a 2-1 Aussie win — Ghana players hugged each other, waved their country's flag and ran to the corner where their supporters were cheering and dancing.
Germany had been in danger of failing to advance from the group stage for the first time, but the three-time champions kept the upper hand throughout the match and got the victory they needed. They'll play England on Sunday, another European power that won to stay alive on Wednesday.
Ghana will face the United States on Saturday. The Black Stars pushed the U.S. out of the tournament in 2006.
Oezil had a chance to score in the 25th minute but Ghana goalie Richard Kingson blocked his shot. He struck his winner in the 60th minute.
"I simply shot the ball," Oezil said. "I had a lot of support from my teammates. It doesn't matter whom we play next, we have to keep winning."
Ghana also had some chances and Kwadwo Asamoah broke through in the 51st minute but shot weakly at goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
The game featured half brothers Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana) and Jerome Boateng (Germany) playing each other, though the two had little contact.
"There is no time to celebrate, the next match is very close," said Ghana's Serbian coach, Milan Rajevac. "We knew it would be a tough match because to try to qualify against Germany is really hard. We played quite well, we resisted well, we had some chances but they had to win and they showed that they are among the best teams in the world."
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