2014 FIFA World Cup Group G

Group G of the 2014 FIFA World Cup consisted of Germany, Portugal, Ghana and United States. Play began on 16 June and ended on 26 June 2014. The top two teams, Germany and the United States, advanced to the round of 16. Germany would go on to win the World Cup.

Teams

Draw position Team Confederation Method of
qualification
Date of
qualification
Finals
appearance
Last
appearance
Previous best
performance
FIFA Rankings
October 2013 June 2014
G1 (seed)  Germany UEFA UEFA Group C winners 11 October 2013 18th 2010 Winners (1954, 1974, 1990) 2 2
G2  Portugal UEFA UEFA play-off winners 19 November 2013 6th 2010 Third place (1966) 14 4
G3  Ghana CAF CAF third round winners 19 November 2013 3rd 2010 Quarter-finals (2010) 23 37
G4  United States CONCACAF CONCACAF fourth round 1st winners 10 September 2013 10th 2010 Third place (1930) 13 13
Notes
  1. ^ The rankings of October 2013 were used for seeding for the final draw.

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Germany 3 2 1 0 7 2 +5 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  United States 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
3  Portugal 3 1 1 1 4 7 −3 4
4  Ghana 3 0 1 2 4 6 −2 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria

Matches

Germany vs Portugal

The two teams had met in 17 previous matches, including in the 2006 FIFA World Cup third place match, won by Germany 3–1. 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. 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.

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. This was Portugal's worst loss in their World Cup history.

Germany 4–0 Portugal
Report
Germany
Portugal
GK 1 Manuel Neuer
RB 20 Jérôme Boateng
CB 17 Per Mertesacker
CB 5 Mats Hummels downward-facing red arrow 73'
LB 4 Benedikt Höwedes
DM 16 Philipp Lahm (c)
CM 6 Sami Khedira
CM 18 Toni Kroos
RW 13 Thomas Müller downward-facing red arrow 82'
LW 19 Mario Götze
CF 8 Mesut Özil downward-facing red arrow 63'
Substitutions:
MF 9 André Schürrle upward-facing green arrow 63'
DF 21 Shkodran Mustafi upward-facing green arrow 73'
FW 10 Lukas Podolski upward-facing green arrow 82'
Manager:
Joachim Löw
GK 12 Rui Patrício
RB 21 João Pereira Yellow card 11'
CB 2 Bruno Alves
CB 3 Pepe Red card 37'
LB 5 Fábio Coentrão downward-facing red arrow 65'
DM 4 Miguel Veloso downward-facing red arrow 46'
CM 8 João Moutinho
CM 16 Raul Meireles
RW 17 Nani
LW 7 Cristiano Ronaldo (c)
CF 9 Hugo Almeida downward-facing red arrow 28'
Substitutions:
FW 11 Eder upward-facing green arrow 28'
DF 13 Ricardo Costa upward-facing green arrow 46'
DF 19 André Almeida upward-facing green arrow 65'
Manager:
Paulo Bento

Man of the Match:
Thomas Müller (Germany)

Assistant referees:
Milovan Ristić (Serbia)
Dalibor Đurđević (Serbia)
Fourth official:
Néant Alioum (Cameroon)
Fifth official:
Djibril Camara (Senegal)

Ghana vs United States

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.

Clint Dempsey opened the scoring for the United States within 29 seconds (the fifth fastest goal in the history of the World Cup), 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. The American victory was marred by an injury to Jozy Altidore, leaving the match in the 21st minute with a strained left hamstring.

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. DaMarcus Beasley became the first American to play in four World Cups. Brooks became the first American substitute ever to score in a World Cup.

Ghana 1–2 United States
Report
Attendance: 39,760
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 Yellow card 30' downward-facing red arrow 71'
CM 11 Sulley Muntari Yellow card 90+2'
AM 10 André Ayew
RF 13 Jordan Ayew downward-facing red arrow 59'
CF 3 Asamoah Gyan (c)
LF 7 Christian Atsu downward-facing red arrow 78'
Substitutions:
FW 9 Kevin-Prince Boateng upward-facing green arrow 59'
MF 5 Michael Essien upward-facing green arrow 71'
MF 14 Albert Adomah upward-facing green arrow 78'
Manager:
James Kwesi Appiah
GK 1 Tim Howard
RB 23 Fabian Johnson
CB 20 Geoff Cameron
CB 5 Matt Besler downward-facing red arrow 46'
LB 7 DaMarcus Beasley
DM 15 Kyle Beckerman
CM 11 Alejandro Bedoya downward-facing red arrow 77'
CM 13 Jermaine Jones
AM 4 Michael Bradley
CF 17 Jozy Altidore downward-facing red arrow 23'
CF 8 Clint Dempsey (c)
Substitutions:
FW 9 Aron Jóhannsson upward-facing green arrow 23'
DF 6 John Brooks upward-facing green arrow 46'
MF 19 Graham Zusi upward-facing green arrow 77'
Manager:
Germany Jürgen Klinsmann

Man of the Match:
Clint Dempsey (United States)

Assistant referees:
Mathias Klasenius (Sweden)
Daniel Wärnmark (Sweden)
Fourth official:
Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
Fifth official:
Aden Marwa (Kenya)

Germany vs Ghana

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

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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

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. It was also quite surprising that no police were seen on the pitch in pursuit of the invader.

Germany 2–2 Ghana
Report
Attendance: 59,621
Referee: Sandro Ricci (Brazil)
Germany
Ghana
GK 1 Manuel Neuer
RB 20 Jérôme Boateng downward-facing red arrow 46'
CB 17 Per Mertesacker
CB 5 Mats Hummels
LB 4 Benedikt Höwedes
DM 16 Philipp Lahm (c)
CM 6 Sami Khedira downward-facing red arrow 70'
CM 18 Toni Kroos
RW 8 Mesut Özil
LW 19 Mario Götze downward-facing red arrow 69'
CF 13 Thomas Müller
Substitutions:
DF 21 Shkodran Mustafi upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW 11 Miroslav Klose upward-facing green arrow 69'
MF 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger upward-facing green arrow 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 Yellow card 90+4'
CM 17 Mohammed Rabiu downward-facing red arrow 78'
RW 7 Christian Atsu downward-facing red arrow 72'
AM 9 Kevin-Prince Boateng downward-facing red arrow 52'
LW 10 André Ayew
CF 3 Asamoah Gyan (c)
Substitutions:
FW 13 Jordan Ayew upward-facing green arrow 52'
MF 22 Mubarak Wakaso upward-facing green arrow 72'
MF 8 Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu upward-facing green arrow 78'
Manager:
James Kwesi Appiah

Man of the Match:
Mario Götze (Germany)

Assistant referees:
Emerson De Carvalho (Brazil)
Marcelo Van Gasse (Brazil)
Fourth official:
Víctor Hugo Carrillo (Peru)
Fifth official:
Rodney Aquino (Paraguay)

United States vs Portugal

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. Portugal defender Pepe was suspended for the match after his red card against Germany.

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. 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.

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

United States 2–2 Portugal
Report
Attendance: 40,123
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 Yellow card 75'
RW 11 Alejandro Bedoya downward-facing red arrow 72'
AM 4 Michael Bradley
LW 19 Graham Zusi downward-facing red arrow 90+1'
CF 8 Clint Dempsey (c) downward-facing red arrow 87'
Substitutions:
DF 2 DeAndre Yedlin upward-facing green arrow 72'
FW 18 Chris Wondolowski upward-facing green arrow 87'
DF 3 Omar Gonzalez upward-facing green arrow 90+1'
Manager:
Germany Jürgen Klinsmann
GK 22 Beto
RB 21 João Pereira
CB 13 Ricardo Costa
CB 2 Bruno Alves
LB 19 André Almeida downward-facing red arrow 46'
DM 4 Miguel Veloso
CM 8 João Moutinho
CM 16 Raul Meireles downward-facing red arrow 69'
RW 17 Nani
LW 7 Cristiano Ronaldo (c)
CF 23 Hélder Postiga downward-facing red arrow 16'
Substitutions:
FW 11 Eder upward-facing green arrow 16'
MF 6 William Carvalho upward-facing green arrow 46'
MF 18 Silvestre Varela upward-facing green arrow 69'
Manager:
Paulo Bento

Man of the Match:
Tim Howard (United States)

Assistant referees:
Hernán Maidana (Argentina)
Juan Pablo Belatti (Argentina)
Fourth official:
Wálter López (Guatemala)
Fifth official:
Leonel Leal (Costa Rica)

United States vs Germany

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). 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.

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. 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, meaning that they reached the knockout stage of consecutive World Cups for the first time. 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.

United States 0–1 Germany
Report
United States
Germany
GK 1 Tim Howard
RB 23 Fabian Johnson
CB 3 Omar Gonzalez Yellow card 37'
CB 5 Matt Besler
LB 7 DaMarcus Beasley
CM 15 Kyle Beckerman Yellow card 62'
CM 13 Jermaine Jones
RW 19 Graham Zusi downward-facing red arrow 84'
AM 4 Michael Bradley
LW 14 Brad Davis downward-facing red arrow 59'
CF 8 Clint Dempsey (c)
Substitutions:
MF 11 Alejandro Bedoya upward-facing green arrow 59'
DF 2 DeAndre Yedlin upward-facing green arrow 84'
Manager:
Germany Jürgen Klinsmann
GK 1 Manuel Neuer
RB 20 Jérôme Boateng
CB 17 Per Mertesacker
CB 5 Mats Hummels
LB 4 Benedikt Höwedes Yellow card 11'
DM 16 Philipp Lahm (c)
CM 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger downward-facing red arrow 76'
CM 18 Toni Kroos
RW 8 Mesut Özil downward-facing red arrow 89'
LW 10 Lukas Podolski downward-facing red arrow 46'
CF 13 Thomas Müller
Substitutions:
FW 11 Miroslav Klose upward-facing green arrow 46'
MF 19 Mario Götze upward-facing green arrow 76'
MF 9 André Schürrle upward-facing green arrow 89'
Manager:
Joachim Löw

Man of the Match:
Thomas Müller (Germany)

Assistant referees:
Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan)
Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan)
Fourth official:
Néant Alioum (Cameroon)
Fifth official:
Djibril Camara (Senegal)

Portugal vs Ghana

The two teams had never met before. Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari was suspended for the match due to accumulation of yellow cards. 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.

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. It was Gyan's sixth goal in World Cups, passing the tally of Roger Milla as the top African goalscorer in the competition. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner for Portugal in the 80th minute, after Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda palmed the ball to him in the penalty area after a cross from the left, making Ronaldo the first Portuguese player to score in three World Cups.

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, who failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their three campaigns.

Portugal 2–1 Ghana
Report
Portugal
Ghana
GK 22 Beto downward-facing red arrow 89'
RB 21 João Pereira downward-facing red arrow 61'
CB 3 Pepe
CB 2 Bruno Alves
LB 4 Miguel Veloso
DM 6 William Carvalho
CM 8 João Moutinho Yellow card 90+4'
CM 20 Rúben Amorim
RW 17 Nani
LW 7 Cristiano Ronaldo (c)
CF 11 Eder downward-facing red arrow 69'
Substitutions:
MF 18 Silvestre Varela upward-facing green arrow 61'
MF 10 Vieirinha upward-facing green arrow 69'
GK 1 Eduardo upward-facing green arrow 89'
Manager:
Paulo Bento
GK 16 Fatau Dauda
RB 23 Harrison Afful Yellow card 39'
CB 21 John Boye
CB 19 Jonathan Mensah
LB 20 Kwadwo Asamoah
CM 17 Mohammed Rabiu downward-facing red arrow 76'
CM 8 Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu
RW 7 Christian Atsu
LW 10 André Ayew downward-facing red arrow 81'
CF 18 Abdul Majeed Waris Yellow card 55' downward-facing red arrow 71'
CF 3 Asamoah Gyan (c)
Substitutions:
FW 13 Jordan Ayew Yellow card 78' upward-facing green arrow 71'
MF 6 Afriyie Acquah upward-facing green arrow 76'
MF 22 Mubarak Wakaso upward-facing green arrow 81'
Manager:
James Kwesi Appiah

Man of the Match:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Assistant referees:
Yaser Tulerat (Bahrain)
Ebrahim Saleh (Bahrain)
Fourth official:
Wilmar Roldán (Colombia)
Fifth official:
Eduardo Díaz (Colombia)

See also


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