World Cup 2014 Brazil » Group G » Live commentary: USA - Germany 0:1

Endgame Summary:
Germany deserves this victory though not having played at top speed. Especially due to a firm defense, no doubt arose that the Europeans would beat the North Americans with too many difficulties. During the first half, Löw’s men had the better chances but played too sloppy. Again and again they tried to score by crossing from the sides. In the second half, Schweinsteiger and friends played more direct and came closer to score every minute. In the pouring rain of Recife, Müller was decisive to score the 1:0 and secure the never endangered victory for the big favorite. The USA will not have a hard time overcoming this defeat – they will continue playing the tournament. The Germans were not convincing, the following games will show how good they really are.

Four minutes extra time, both teams are about to climb up to the next round.

London-internatl substitution: Schürrle from Chelsea is sent to to the pitch to replace Arsenal's Özil.

Zusi, who ran up and down and who was maybe the best player of his team next to Howard, is substituted by Yedlin.

Well, at least an attempt... Özil shoots from a similar position where Müller got lucky. But absolutely no difficulty at all for Howard.

That's interesting! Löw does not take away an offensive player in order to defend the 1:0. No, he's still longing for another goal setting Mario Götze free to stir the sleepy game up. Let's see how this works.

The USA are actually risking a lot by not risking anything here on the pitch. Losing against Germany would mean giving away the chance to promote out of their own powers. Still, they would be in because of the draw in the parallel encounter between Portugal and Ghana.

Nothing's happening here. The USA tries to come a little bit closer to the German goal but is too sloppy to make some well-timed linked moves.

Klinsmann reacts and brings in Nantes Alejandro Bedoya. Brad Davis leaves. This means that the strategic outline is not changed.

Goooal for Germany, 0:1 by Thomas Müller
Short corner is centred by Kroos. Hummels' header is amazingly saved by Howard. But Müller gets the rebound waiting at the border to the box. From a central position he does not hesitate and smashes it in. Great goal by the German top scorer.

As predicted, the USA are fighting for not letting Germany score. Up front there is nothing going on.

It's going on! Löw consolidates the central offense by bringing Klose into the game. Podolski has to leave.

Halftime Summary:
The encounter between Germany and the USA is not the nicest match of the World Cup. There are many reasons for this besides the neverending rainfalls in Recife. Due to the fact that both teams would qualify for the round of 16 with a draw there is not much risk taken by the players of both sides. The Germans had the better occasions and tried to score right away at the beginning of the game with nice moves across the wings. But Müller, who was each time close to bury it, is blocked excellently by the US-American central backs. Klinsmann's team in exchange had no really big chances. Only a shot from long-range by Zusi is to be reported. This missed the goal by few centimeters. We hope, that there are some goals in the second half. But as Portugal is in lead, the USA will do everything to not concede a goal.

After felt hours, there's another chance for USA earning a corner. But this is centred too high and passes by all US-boys. It's most probably staying at zero goals until the break.

Omar González (USA) is shown a yellow card
After a challenge against Schweinsteiger the central back earns yellow.

It's a complete stand-off at the moment. Both teams present themselves highly concentrated and do not permit their opponent to unfurl.

The balance between the forces is reached again and therefore both teams are currently neutralising each other. There are spaces until one team reaches the last quater of the pitch, but then it's getting sticky.

The USA is getting firmer at their back and begin to attack. Sometimes it seems too easy how they break through Germany's defensive lines, but the North Americans still lack quality to create big chances.

First move forward by Dempsey and friends leading to a semi-chance for those dressed in white. But the strike is not worth its name, the ball rolls away without any need for Neuer to interfere.

The US-Boys are pinned down to their back! The Central Europeans are dangerous when launching their attacks from the wings. But until now, Müller is blocked very well. Also in this situation in which Boateng centres from the right. Already the fourth of its kind.

Özil brings the corner to Kroos, who is waiting alone on the border to the box. He tries to smash it in but hits it incorrectly. Right afterwards Özil remaining still on the right crosses again. This would be a great chance to score the first goal but the two defenders Mertesacker and Höwedes step on each other's toes rather than burying it right away.

Nice pass from left to right where Boateng takes the ball directly. But he centres too unprecisely and Howard catches the ball.

First shot! A cross comes along Müller's way who fails to hit the ball with a attended bicycle kick. Then Podolski misses high and wide from the left side of the box.

In the German starting eleven there are two big news: Khedira and Götze are left on the bench, Arsenal's Podolski and Bayern's Schweinsteiger are thrown in. Podolski will be responsible to put pressure over the left wing, "Schweini" will try to array the central pitch which was much too hectical against Ghana. The settlement of the ball and patience with the ball will be crucial against the North Americans.

This is underlined by Hoffenheim's Fabian Johnson who says that "It's just not in our nature to play for a draw.”. Knowing his opponent like the back of his hand he further warns: “I think everybody can see that Germany has a great team, great individual players,” said Johnson. “I think they're technically good, they try to play straight to the goal. We have to defend as a whole unit again, like we did against Portugal, and we're going to create our chances.”.

As mentioned, all four teams still have realistic chances to ascend to the round of 16. Germany has the best starting position to do so with a plus four goal difference and four points on its accounts. Jogi Löw therefore simply needs a draw to resume the first round of Brazil 2014 as winner. Of course, the Germans want than that against their former coach, Jürgen Klinsmann.