catalyst2 | Game # 46 - USA vs Germany (Reply)

I am glad to see that USA were not overawed playing Germany but then I think that Klinsmann would probably have made sure of that. Even though USA didn't have a huge amount of possession in the first half, what they did get, they made good use of. The half finished 0-0 but it was an exciting half and the Germans looked ominously fluid in attack. Sure enough, early in the second half, Muller scored (who else?) with a wonderfully threaded shot through a packed penalty area. USA tried to come back but a massive disparity in possession (37% to 63%) and shots (4-13, with only a single shot on goal), it was always an uphill struggle. Still it was, in one way, a victory for USA as they kept their losing margin low enough that they still qualified for the next round.

Result is that both teams are through to the next round with Germany in first place and USA in second, by goal difference over Portugal (0 to -3 respectively).