Germany Into The Last 16

Germany have set up a last sixteen clash with England after their 1-0 win over Ghana yesterday.

The former champions had gone off the boil after their impressive opening 4-0 win over Australian but had a shock loss at the hands of Serbia at the weekend.

When the Group D matches started yesterday evening all four sides were still in the running to qualify and Germany needed a win to be certain of their knockout phase participation while Ghana needed just a draw to go through.

Ghana have been the best African side at the tournament this year, Cameroon South Africa, Nigeria and Algeria had already crashed out and they more than matched Germany in the opening half.

The momentum swung back and forth between the two sides as they both created good chances that could have put them ahead. Germany's Cacau had the first real shot on target after just three minutes but it went straight to keeper Kingston.

Kingston was called into action moments later when a cross from Lukas Podolski's cross came off Mensah and he had to hit the ball away from danger.

At the other end of the pitch Asamoah Gyan set his sights on goal and Schweinsteiger had to dart back in a bid avert the danger. Ghana's best chance came courtesy Gyan almost sent a corner into the back of the net.

There were also chances for Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sami Khedira while Kingston was also in action before the half time whistle when Ozil threatened.

At the half time whistle it was unfortunate for both side that they were still locked together at 0-0.

Just six minutes into the second half it was Ghana who had the first real opportunity when Kojo Asamoah mis-kicked a shot from Gyan's pass.

On the hour mark the deadlock was finally broken as Ozil struck from outside the penalty area and Kingston, who had been superb all evening, was finally beaten.

Ghana tried to hit back immediately as a header from Tagoe at the far post resulted in a great block by Boateng and Germany just kept their noses ahead.

Ghana continued to press but they couldn't make the vital breakthrough and Germany was through to the last sixteen with a 1-0 victory.

Ghana have become the first African team into the knockout stages as a 2-1 win for Australia wasn't enough to see them through.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw