Ten-man Germany Lose Out To Superb White Eagles

Miroslav Klose received two harsh yellow cards and was sent off just before half-time, and seconds later Milan Jovanovic opened the scoring for the Serbians. Time and again the Germans would push forward, even cracking the woodwork through a volley from Sami Khedira, but their possession would in the end count for very little.

After the half, Nemanja Vidic quite ridiculously handled the ball in the area – the underlying theme of Serbia’s World Cup campaign so far – and a penalty kick was awarded. Podolski, full of confidence, stepped up to give Germany a way back into this match. Stojkovic made the save, though, and Podolski’s confidence absolutely shattered. With no Klose up top for the Germans, goalscoring opportunities were few and far between. Mesut Ozil could do little to influence events, and Podolski’s wayward shooting just summed up the game for Germany.

Group D now has a much more ominous look about it, with Ghana, Serbia and Germany all sitting on three points. Ghana still has two games left to play, against Australia and Germany, and could grab at least three points. Serbia have Australia to play, and that could put them on six points as well. Germany, then, must win against Ghana and hope for a superior goal differential to put them through the group, or they risk being eliminated.

GROUP D
Germany – GP: 2 PTS: 3 GD: +3
Ghana – GP: 1 PTS: 3 GD: +1
Serbia – GP: 2 PTS:3 GD: 0
Australia – GP: 1 PTS: 0 GD:-4