Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/333851
49 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 JUNE 2014 Miroslav Klose of Germany celebrates his 2-2 goal. Photo by EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO Veteran Klose equalises to save German blushes against Ghana VETERAN striker Miroslav Klose came off the bench on Saturday to score an equalizer that saved Ger- many from a humiliating defeat to Ghana in Group G. Klose scored the 2-2 equalizer in the 71st minute two minutes after coming on as substitute, to equal the all-time World Cup scoring record of 15 goals held by Brazil's Ronaldo. After a goalless first half, the Germans opened the scoring with a goal by Mario Goetze in the 51st minute, and Andre Ayew made it 1-1 for Ghana three minutes later. Asamoah Gyan gave Ghana the lead in the 63rd minute, making a fast run down the right of the Ger- man box to make it 2-1. The result leaves Germany top of the group with 4 points, mean- ing they need only to draw against the United States in the final group game to reach the knockout round. Germany had a late chance to score a winner after they were granted a free-kick in added time for a foul on Bastian Schwein- steiger but Toni Kroos shot wide of the target. Klose narrowly missed another chance when he failed by inches to connect with a pass across the goalmouth by Mesut Ozil. Germany failed to break through Ghana's disciplined defence in the first half, which ended 0-0 despite each team having several chances. Asamoah Gyan tested Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer in the opening minutes with a shot over the bar after Sulley Muntari played a long ball to Christian Atsu, who made a fast run before making a cross from the right of the German box. Neuer also parried Atsu's shot on goal from outside the box minutes later, and again denied the Ghana- ians a goal after bad defending by Philipp Lahm gave Muntari space to rif le a shot. Lahm created the first chance for the Germans, playing a ball into the Ghanian box that was in- tercepted before it reached Mesut Ozil. Sami Khedira had a shot on goal saved by keeper Fatau Dauda and Ghana defender John Boye inter- cepted a cross from Ozil to Tho- mas Mueller from the right of the box. The Germans kept the pressure up and Toni Kroos rif led a shot from outside the box that went f ly- ing over the bar. Boateng, who was replaced at half time, played a long ball down the right for Goetze, who made a fast run but his cross into the box for Mueller was stopped by Boye. Mubarak Wakaso of Ghana in action. Photo by EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI