2014 FIFA World Cup Group G

The two teams had met in 17 previous matches, including in the 2006 FIFA World Cup third place match, won by Germany 3–1.[1] Their most recent meeting was in the UEFA Euro 2012 group stage, won by Germany 1–0.

Germany took the lead with a Thomas Müller penalty kick, shooting low and hard into the bottom left-hand corner, awarded after a foul on Mario Götze by João Pereira. Mats Hummels doubled the advantage for Germany by heading in a corner kick from Toni Kroos.[2] Shortly before halftime Müller and Pepe were involved in an altercation, in which Pepe headbutted Müller and was sent off. In first half stoppage time, Müller intercepted a clearance from Bruno Alves to slot home. Müller completed his hat-trick in the second half, as he scored from close range after Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patrício stopped André Schürrle's cross from the right.[3]

The match was Germany's 100th in the World Cup, the first team to reach the milestone. Müller's hat-trick was the seventh by a German player in the World Cup, the most of any nation.[4] This was Portugal's worst loss in their World Cup history.[5]

16 June 2014

13:00 UTC−3

Germany	4–0	Portugal
Müller  12' (pen.), 45+1', 78' Hummels  32'	Report

Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador

Attendance: 51,081

Referee: Milorad Mažić (Serbia)

Germany

Portugal

GK 1 Manuel Neuer RB 20 Jérôme Boateng CB 17 Per Mertesacker CB 5 Mats Hummels  73' LB 4 Benedikt Höwedes DM 16 Philipp Lahm (c) CM 6 Sami Khedira CM 18 Toni Kroos RW 13 Thomas Müller  82' LW 19 Mario Götze CF 8 Mesut Özil  63' Substitutions: MF 9 André Schürrle  63' DF 21 Shkodran Mustafi  73' FW 10 Lukas Podolski  82' Manager: Joachim Löw

GK 12 Rui Patrício RB 21 João Pereira  11' CB 2 Bruno Alves CB 3 Pepe  37' LB 5 Fábio Coentrão  65' DM 4 Miguel Veloso  46' CM 8 João Moutinho CM 16 Raul Meireles RW 17 Nani LW 7 Cristiano Ronaldo (c) CF 9 Hugo Almeida  28' Substitutions: FW 11 Eder  28' DF 13 Ricardo Costa  46' DF 19 André Almeida  65' Manager: Paulo Bento

The two teams had met in three previous matches, including twice in World Cup in 2006 and 2010, where both times Ghana beat United States 2–1. The 2006 FIFA World Cup encounter was in their last group stage match, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup encounter was in the round of 16 final where Ghana won again, which in both occasions, eliminated United States from those previous World Cups.[6]

Clint Dempsey opened the scoring for the United States within 29 seconds (the fifth fastest goal in the history of the World Cup[7][8]), as he received the ball from Jermaine Jones, dribbled past John Boye and shot into the far corner. The lead lasted until the 82nd minute, when Asamoah Gyan's back-heel set up André Ayew to score. However, the United States scored the game-winning goal four minutes later, when half-time substitute John Brooks headed in Graham Zusi's corner.[9] The American victory was marred by an injury to Jozy Altidore, leaving the match in the 21st minute with a strained left hamstring.[10]

Dempsey's goal was officially timed by FIFA at 30 seconds after kick-off, the fifth fastest in World Cup history, and the fastest by an American player. He also became the first American player to score in three World Cups.[11] DaMarcus Beasley became the first American to play in four World Cups.[12] Brooks became the first American substitute ever to score in a World Cup.

16 June 2014

19:00 UTC−3

Ghana	1–2	United States
A. Ayew  82'	Report	Dempsey  1' Brooks  86'

Arena das Dunas, Natal

Attendance: 39,760

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)

Ghana

United States

GK 12 Adam Kwarasey RB 4 Daniel Opare CB 19 Jonathan Mensah CB 21 John Boye LB 20 Kwadwo Asamoah CM 17 Mohammed Rabiu  30'  71' CM 11 Sulley Muntari  90+2' AM 10 André Ayew RF 13 Jordan Ayew  59' CF 3 Asamoah Gyan (c) LF 7 Christian Atsu  78' Substitutions: FW 9 Kevin-Prince Boateng  59' MF 5 Michael Essien  71' MF 14 Albert Adomah  78' Manager: James Kwesi Appiah

GK 1 Tim Howard RB 23 Fabian Johnson CB 20 Geoff Cameron CB 5 Matt Besler  46' LB 7 DaMarcus Beasley DM 15 Kyle Beckerman CM 11 Alejandro Bedoya  77' CM 13 Jermaine Jones AM 4 Michael Bradley CF 17 Jozy Altidore  23' CF 8 Clint Dempsey (c) Substitutions: FW 9 Aron Jóhannsson  23' DF 6 John Brooks  46' MF 19 Graham Zusi  77' Manager: Jürgen Klinsmann

The two teams had met in three previous matches, including in the 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage, won by Germany 1–0.[13]

After a goalless first half, Germany took the lead when Thomas Müller crossed from the right for Mario Götze, whose header went in off his thigh. Ghana equalised three minutes later, when André Ayew headed in Harrison Afful's cross from the right. Ghana then took the lead when Sulley Muntari intercepted the ball from Philipp Lahm, then slipped a through ball for Asamoah Gyan to score with his right foot.[14] Just two minutes after coming on as a substitute, Miroslav Klose once again tied up the match, with a close-range finish after Benedikt Höwedes flicked on a corner from Toni Kroos.[15]

Klose's goal took his World Cup total to 15, equalling the record mark held by Brazil's Ronaldo. He also joined Pelé and Uwe Seeler as the only players to have scored in four World Cups.[16] Gyan became the joint top African scorer in the World Cup (tied with Cameroon's Roger Milla) with five goals, and also the first African player to score in three World Cups.[17] Just as in the 2010 meeting, Jérôme Boateng (Germany) and Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana) faced each other, the second time two brothers faced each other in a World Cup game.[18]

In the 52nd minute, a man with a Polish passport, identified as Leszek Ludomir, invaded the pitch shirtless, with letters and numbers painted on his chest and back. FIFA's official TV feed cut out the images. The man was approached in a calm and friendly manner by Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari, who quickly escorted him off the pitch, and he was then taken into custody by the stadium security.[19] It was also quite surprising that no police were seen on the pitch in pursuit of the invader.[20]

21 June 2014

16:00 UTC−3

Germany	2–2	Ghana
Götze  51' Klose  71'	Report	A. Ayew  54' Gyan  63'

Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza

Attendance: 59,621

Referee: Sandro Ricci (Brazil)

Germany

Ghana

GK 1 Manuel Neuer RB 20 Jérôme Boateng  46' CB 17 Per Mertesacker CB 5 Mats Hummels LB 4 Benedikt Höwedes DM 16 Philipp Lahm (c) CM 6 Sami Khedira  70' CM 18 Toni Kroos RW 8 Mesut Özil LW 19 Mario Götze  69' CF 13 Thomas Müller Substitutions: DF 21 Shkodran Mustafi  46' FW 11 Miroslav Klose  69' MF 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger  70' Manager: Joachim Löw

GK 16 Fatau Dauda RB 23 Harrison Afful CB 21 John Boye CB 19 Jonathan Mensah LB 20 Kwadwo Asamoah CM 11 Sulley Muntari  90+4' CM 17 Mohammed Rabiu  78' RW 7 Christian Atsu  72' AM 9 Kevin-Prince Boateng  52' LW 10 André Ayew CF 3 Asamoah Gyan (c) Substitutions: FW 13 Jordan Ayew  52' MF 22 Wakaso Mubarak  72' MF 8 Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu  78' Manager: James Kwesi Appiah

The two teams had met in five previous matches, including in the 2002 FIFA World Cup group stage, won by the United States 3–2.[21] Portugal defender Pepe was suspended for the match after his red card against Germany.[22]

Portugal took the lead within five minutes, when Geoff Cameron's mis-hit clearance fell to Nani and he scored from close range. Near the end of the first half, Nani's long-range shot hit the post, and American goalkeeper Tim Howard saved Éder's follow-up. In the second half, Michael Bradley had a shot cleared off the line by Ricardo Costa, but the United States eventually equalised through Jermaine Jones, as he curled in a right-foot shot in after a corner was cleared to him.[23] The United States then took the lead, as Graham Zusi crossed for Clint Dempsey to score with his midriff. Had the United States held on for the win, they would have clinched a place in the knockout stage while eliminating Portugal at the same time, but in the fifth minute of injury time, Cristiano Ronaldo crossed for substitute Silvestre Varela to head in the equaliser and keep Portugal's qualification hopes alive.[24]

Varela's goal (94:33) was the latest World Cup goal scored in regulation time.[25] In the 39th minute, the players took a short water break during an injury stoppage,[26] but this was not considered an official "cooling break" as introduced by FIFA for this tournament.[27]

22 June 2014

18:00 UTC−4

United States	2–2	Portugal
Jones  64' Dempsey  81'	Report	Nani  5' Varela  90+5'

Arena da Amazônia, Manaus

Attendance: 40,123

Referee: Néstor Pitana (Argentina)

United States

Portugal

GK 1 Tim Howard RB 23 Fabian Johnson CB 20 Geoff Cameron CB 5 Matt Besler LB 7 DaMarcus Beasley CM 15 Kyle Beckerman CM 13 Jermaine Jones  75' RW 11 Alejandro Bedoya  72' AM 4 Michael Bradley LW 19 Graham Zusi  90+1' CF 8 Clint Dempsey (c)  87' Substitutions: DF 2 DeAndre Yedlin  72' FW 18 Chris Wondolowski  87' DF 3 Omar Gonzalez  90+1' Manager: Jürgen Klinsmann

GK 22 Beto RB 21 João Pereira CB 13 Ricardo Costa CB 2 Bruno Alves LB 19 André Almeida  46' DM 4 Miguel Veloso CM 8 João Moutinho CM 16 Raul Meireles  69' RW 17 Nani LW 7 Cristiano Ronaldo (c) CF 23 Hélder Postiga  16' Substitutions: FW 11 Eder  16' MF 6 William Carvalho  46' MF 18 Silvestre Varela  69' Manager: Paulo Bento

The two teams had met in nine previous matches, including twice in the FIFA World Cup, both won by Germany (1998, group stage: 2–0; 2002, quarter-finals: 1–0).[28] The match featured two German coaches, Jürgen Klinsmann and Joachim Löw, facing each other. United States coach Klinsmann played in three World Cups for Germany (he scored the second goal in the 1998 match against the United States), and also managed them in 2006 with Löw as his assistant, who succeeded him after the World Cup.[29]

Both teams came into this match needing only one point to qualify for the knockout stage. The only goal of the match was scored by Thomas Müller in the 55th minute, who slotted in the rebound with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area after American goalkeeper Tim Howard parried out Per Mertesacker's header.[30] With the win, Germany qualified as group winners, while the United States also qualified despite the loss as Portugal's 2–1 win over Ghana at the same time ensured that the Americans finished as group runners-up above the Portuguese on goal difference,[31] meaning that they reached the knockout stage of consecutive World Cups for the first time.[32] This was the first match of the tournament where Bastian Schweinsteiger was included in the starting lineup and the last match where Lukas Podolski saw any time on the pitch.

With Costa Rica and Mexico also reaching the knockout stage earlier, this was the first time there were three CONCACAF teams in the knockout stage of a World Cup.[33]

26 June 2014

13:00 UTC−3

United States	0–1	Germany
	Report	Müller  55'

Itaipava Arena Pernambuco, Recife

Attendance: 41,876

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

United States

Germany

GK 1 Tim Howard RB 23 Fabian Johnson CB 3 Omar Gonzalez  37' CB 5 Matt Besler LB 7 DaMarcus Beasley CM 15 Kyle Beckerman  62' CM 13 Jermaine Jones RW 19 Graham Zusi  84' AM 4 Michael Bradley LW 14 Brad Davis  59' CF 8 Clint Dempsey (c) Substitutions: MF 11 Alejandro Bedoya  59' DF 2 DeAndre Yedlin  84' Manager: Jürgen Klinsmann

GK 1 Manuel Neuer RB 20 Jérôme Boateng CB 17 Per Mertesacker CB 5 Mats Hummels LB 4 Benedikt Höwedes  11' DM 16 Philipp Lahm (c) CM 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger  76' CM 18 Toni Kroos RW 8 Mesut Özil  89' LW 10 Lukas Podolski  46' CF 13 Thomas Müller Substitutions: FW 11 Miroslav Klose  46' MF 19 Mario Götze  76' MF 9 André Schürrle  89' Manager: Joachim Löw

The two teams had never met before.[34] Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari was suspended for the match due to accumulation of yellow cards.[35] However, along with fellow midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, Muntari was indefinitely suspended from the team for disciplinary reasons by the Ghana Football Association before the match.[36][37]

Both teams came into the match knowing that to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stage, they had to win while hoping that the United States vs Germany match, played at the same time, did not end in a draw. Portugal took the lead in the first half, when John Boye deflected in Miguel Veloso's cross with his knee for an own goal. Asamoah Gyan equalised for Ghana in the second half, heading in Kwadwo Asamoah's outside of the foot cross from the left. Cristiano Ronaldo scored Portugal's game winner in the 80th minute, after Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda palmed the ball to him in the penalty area after a cross from the left.[38] Despite the win and Germany's win over the United States, Portugal finished behind the United States on goal difference, and were eliminated together with Ghana, which failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their three campaigns.[39]

Gyan's goal was his sixth in the World Cup, passing the tally of Roger Milla as the top African goalscorer in the World Cup.[40] Ronaldo's goal made him the first Portuguese player to score in three World Cups.[41]

26 June 2014

13:00 UTC−3

Portugal	2–1	Ghana
Boye  31' (o.g.) Ronaldo  80'	Report	Gyan  57'

Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasília

Attendance: 67,540

Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)

Portugal

Ghana

GK 22 Beto  89' RB 21 João Pereira  61' CB 3 Pepe CB 2 Bruno Alves LB 4 Miguel Veloso DM 6 William Carvalho CM 8 João Moutinho  90+4' CM 20 Rúben Amorim RW 17 Nani LW 7 Cristiano Ronaldo (c) CF 11 Eder  69' Substitutions: MF 18 Silvestre Varela  61' MF 10 Vieirinha  69' GK 1 Eduardo  89' Manager: Paulo Bento

GK 16 Fatau Dauda RB 23 Harrison Afful  39' CB 21 John Boye CB 19 Jonathan Mensah LB 20 Kwadwo Asamoah CM 17 Mohammed Rabiu  76' CM 8 Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu RW 7 Christian Atsu LW 10 André Ayew  81' CF 18 Abdul Majeed Waris  55'  71' CF 3 Asamoah Gyan (c) Substitutions: FW 13 Jordan Ayew  78'  71' MF 6 Afriyie Acquah  76' MF 22 Wakaso Mubarak  81' Manager: James Kwesi Appiah