Ozil 60

Mesut Ozil’s excellent strike gave Germany top spot in World Cup Group D, although both teams advanced from the group.

Ozil’s left-foot drive from the edge of the box broke the deadlock in a pulsating match which had only lacked goals until then.

It was end-to-end stuff in the opening 45 minutes. Germany’s best chance fell to Ozil, who broke clear of Ghana’s defence but couldn’t place his left-foot shot past on-rushing Ghana keeper Richard Kingson.

Asamoah Gyan had the Black Stars’ two best chances of the opening period, coming closest when his header from a corner was cleared off the line by diminutive German captain Phillip Lahm.

Early in the second half, Kwadwo Asamoah latched onto a long ball but scuffed his left-foot shot at German keeper Manuel Neuer.

And although Germany dominated possession after their goal, they needed last-ditch interventions from Lahm and Jerome Boateng to hang on.