USA goes through alongside Germany

Germany and USA made it into the last 16 at the end of the group matches. USA lost their final group league match against Germany 1-0 yet made their way into the next round on better goal difference.

It was a kind of a match where a draw would have settled the issues for both teams. And the intentions were clear right from the very beginning. Both teams were looking to consolidate their defense first and then go for the kill. Consequently the quality of football never lived up to its expectations. Still Germany got few chances as they dominated possession and spent most of the first half in the USA half. occasionally there were attempts on behalf of the Americans to break forward to score but the German defense was up to the task and denied any clear view of the goal.

As the second half began with the teams failing to break the deadlock, it needed something special to force a result out of it and it seemed the first goal might well become the decider. In the end it eventually one strike that separated the teams. And it was Germany who emerged on top, thanks to Thomas Mueller’s 55^th minute strike from a weak clearance. It was Mueller’s 4^th goal in the competition, one shy of his last year’s tally of 5 goals, as he now stands on level terms with the likes of Neymar and Messi in the top goal-scorers’ list in this world cup.

USA suffered their first defeat in this world cup and yet qualified for the next round on better goal difference than Portugal. They will be up against Belgium in their round of 16 match while Germany will face Algeria as they enter the last 16 as champions of Group G.

• About the Author

About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.