Next Day's Games

Final

Germany 1-0 (ET) Argentina (Gotze 113')

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Game 46 Recap: USA 0-1 Germany

USA 0-1 GERMANY

The U.S. didn't get the point they needed to secure a spot in the knockout round but advanced anyway with a 2-1 Portugal victory over Ghana.

A predictably slow game with both sides looking to be methodical on the ball, Germany got a deserved victory although they will be disappointed they did not win by a larger margin in this game.

Germany got their first chance in the 10th minute but flubbed it in what was perhaps a bad omen for the rest of the match. Toni Kroos and Benedikt Howedes both went for a loose ball in the U.S. penalty area but got their legs tangled in each other and the shot went nowhere.

Germany continued to press and enjoyed the bulk of possession in the U.S. half but struggled to find ways inside the American penalty area. Mesut Ozil added another chance for Germany in the 35th minute but his shot was too close to Tim Howard who was able to turn the ball away.

In to the second half, Miroslav Klose got his best chance at setting the World Cup goal record. He was able to get his head to a deep cross from Bastian Schweinsteiger but the ball was just too far and he was unable to get his head behind it to direct on goal.

Germany didn't have to wait much longer to take the lead though. Tim Howard punched a header away off a German corner kick but the ball fell right to the worst person possible, Thomas Muller. Muller clinically put the ball away and tied Lionel Messi and Neymar for the scoring lead in this tournament.

It was a mostly academic game from this point on with few scoring chances either way. Germany had the win they sought and still in position to advance, the U.S. was comfortable hanging back and defending so they could advance on goal differential.

That's exactly what ended up happening, as the U.S. settled for the 1-goal loss, as Portugal's narrow victory left them well behind in tiebreakers and ensured both Germany and the U.S. advanced in this tournament.

Goals

USA: N/A
Germany: Thomas Muller (55')

Discipline
USA: Omar Gonzalez (Yellow 37'), Kyle Beckerman (Yellow 62')
Germany: Benedikt Howedes (Yellow 11')

Man of the Match

Thomas Muller was named Man of the Match. Muller had an excellent finish on a big Tim Howard rebound in the second half for the lone goal of the game.

Key Moment

In the 80th minute of their game, Cristiano Ronaldo tucked a rebound away to give Portugal a lead in their game against Ghana and ensured both of these teams would advance through to the Round of 16. Am I cheating by picking a moment from a different game? Not really. After all these teams spent the last half hour scoreboard watching so I might as well too.

What we learned from USA

Can tighten up defensively well in their own penalty area but absolutely nothing to offer offensively in this game. Couldn't get runs going and had very sparing shots on goal, none of which connected if I'm not mistaken. They will probably face a very similar Belgium team that can run forever in their next game and while this feels like a win, it most certainly won't be if they repeat today's performance.

What we learned from Germany

There's something a little off about them and I can't quite figure out what it is. Ball movement was lacking, and didn't have much in the way of finishing. Part of that was being shut out of the U.S. area but they haven't looked on their game for 2 straight matches now. Think they need to start Klose up top and bump Lahm back to defence where he belongs. Bring some more goal potential to the picture without sacrificing defensively.

Going Forward

Both teams will go to the Round of 16. Barring an upset, the U.S. faces Belgium with Argentina looming in the quarterfinals. Germany have a probable quarterfinal derby against France looming in what could be the game of the tournament.

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