Both Germany and the United States advance to the round of 16 in first and second place respectively. After a 1-0 finish in a wet and humid Recife, the USMNT qualify through goal difference after Portugal defeated Ghana 2-1.

The beginning of the first half saw a confident German side completing passes, and testing the United State’s back line. Lukas Podolski had a great cross to Thomas Muller early on but a save by USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard kept the score 0-0.

After the first yellow card was issued to Germany’s Benedikt Howedes on a challenge by Fabian Johnson, the U.S. started to find their rhythm on offense and were making good plays and keeping the ball. The first ball shot on Germany’s goal by Graham Zusi was close but curled a bit above the top bar.

Omar Gonzalez was given a yellow card in the 38th minute for a challenge with Thomas Muller as the United States played very physical defense against the talented German side. The first half finished with a 0-0 score, but both teams were playing quality offense and solid defense.

Germany entered the second half charging at the goal and continued to make space in the back then succeeded with a goal in the 55th minute on a corner kick knocked away by Howard but sent in by Muller making it his 4th goal in the 2014 World Cup.

Carlos Bedoya entered the game for Brad Davis in the 57th minute, shortly after Kyle Beckerman received a yellow card, as the U.S. continued to defend the goal and probe for space on offense but some poor passes in midfield left the USMNT struggling for a play on offense. American captain Clint Dempsey went down in the 72nd minute clutching his nose, which was previously broken against Ghana, after knocking into a German defender’s shoulder but recovered quickly and finished the match.

Germany appeared to slow down play around the 89th minute after substituting André Schürrle for Mesut Özil and took the remaining time to make easy passes near the goal between the back four and goalie.

In the 90th minute the United States made a charge at the goal and an equalizer was almost headed in by Dempsey but Phillip Lahm made a crucial save to keep Germany’s lead.

Germany seemed like the better team throughout the match but the U.S. were able to hold on and qualify to the next round where they will play the winner of Group H, most likely Belgium on Tuesday July 1st at 4pm. Germany will play the second place team in Group H on June 30th at 4pm.

Watch the highlights of Germany 1-0 USA here: