Same group as Ghana and a 4-0 opener – Germany have been here before, in South Africa 2010. Unlike their clash in Johannesburg, however, this is not a do-or-die encounter for Die Mannschaft,
who are favourites to top the group. But that match could have gone
either way and it was a very shaky 1-0 win for the Germans, who will
be aware that the Africans, fighting for survival, are no pushovers. Venue – Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza Kickoff Time – 12:30 AM, 22nd June (IST)
Teamsheet
Joachim Low is likely to field the same side that routed Portugal,
with one possible exception. Mats Hummels’ injury could see Shkodran
Mustafi get his first start, or the versatile Kevin Grosskreutz playing
right-back while Jerome Boateng moves to the centre.
Kwesi Appiah is likely to name an unchanged side from the one that narrowly lost to the US.
TacticsThere is a familiar feel to the squads. Both fielded a host of young
players in South Africa who have have continued, and are now in their
mid-20s. Ghana’s defence is strong physically and tactically, and they
have a decent midfield that dominated possession against the US, 59%.
Interestingly, the US goals came at different extremities of the game –
the opening half-minute and then the 86th minute – which
suggests a vulnerability to unexpected attacks. Germany are sharp on the
counter, and their front 4 excel at movement, interchanging positions
regularly and with great understanding. If Ghana’s defenders switch off,
they could be ball-watching all night.
The 2010 contest saw the coming of age of a young Mesut Ozil, who was
the star player on the night and deservedly got the winner. Ghana will
not make the mistake of leaving him unattended this time, but the German
playmaker may be just too agile for them, and has an excellent
relatio with Mario Gotze. Thomas Muller will probably start at
centre-forward again. His ability to take on two centre-backs and his
efficiency in front of goal – 8 World Cup goals from 9 shots – could be
Ghana’s undoing if he is not properly marked.
Ghana’s attacking options are somewhat limited. Barring Asamoah Gyan
upfront and Kwadwo Asamoah on the left wing, they lack players who can
offer penetration. With Hummels injured and Khedira lacking match
practice, Gyan may fancy his chances in the final third.
In midfield, Sulley Muntari will battle Philip Lahm. Muntari
epitomizes AC Milan’s current crop of midfielders – ageing and
non-creative, but functionally useful and experienced. He can shut off
supply to the forwards by doing a physical job on Kroos or stopping Lahm
from passing – either way, expect a scrappy spoiling contest in the
centre.
Ghana 4-2-3-1, Germany 4-3-3
Key Facts
Ghana and Germany have met twice before, with the Europeans winning
both times – a 6-1 win in a 1993 friendly, and the 1-0 in WC 2010.
Amazingly, all 7 German goals were scored from the 60th minute onwards! Concentration is clearly not Ghana’s strong area.
Ghana have been weak at set-pieces, conceding 4 such goals in their
last 5 World Cup games. With Germany possessing the tallest side in the
competition (avg height 6’2”), this could be a major problem if they
concede free-kicks near the box.
Germany have won the 2nd game at a World Cup just once since 1994.
With Italy and Holland also struggling after fine starts, the squad will
need to guard against second-game syndrome.
Fun fact – German defender Jerome Boateng will be tasked with
stopping his half-brother, Ghana attacker Kevin-Prince Boateng.
It’s only the 2nd time that brothers have clashed in a World Cup finals
match. The first instance? The Boatengs again, in 2010. Prediction: A1-0 or 2-1 win for
Germany. Then again, in this highly unpredictable World Cup, you never
know – a dismissal for either side could completely change fortunes.
Costa Rica's forward Bryan Ruiz celebrates after scoring the opener. Photograph: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images
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A picture paints a thousand words
So have a quick read of this gallery of images from the match so far.
Half-time: Italy 0-1 Costa Rica
Time for England players to make a decision on that always-tricky
moral dilemma: to sneak some hotel towels and toiletries into your case
before check-out or not. Unless Italy change dramatically in the second
half, England are homeward bound. Costa Rica don't look like letting
this slip - they have been mostly solid at the back, dynamic all over
and incisive going forward. They should really be two goals in front,
Campbell having been refused a blatant penalty.
Updated
45+2 min: This ref is having a shocker. He's just given Italy
a freekick about 35 yards out after a Costa Rican won the ball
legitimately. Pirlo's poor delivery ensures the injustice is not
rewarded.
Updated
GOAL! Italy 0-1 Costa Rica (Ruiz 44)
Richly deserved! A superb Diaz cross from the left is rewarded with a
well-directed header in off the crossbar from Ruiz! Chiellini defended
like an Englishman, completely losing track of the attacker. England's
doom draws closer. All glory to Costa Rica.
Outrage!
43 min: That seemed an irrefutable case for a penalty to
Costa Rica! Campbell surged into the box and was barged off the ball by
two Italians but, to the disbelief of Ticos' players and staff - and the
mighty relief of England, the ref waved play on.
40 min: Danger from Costa Rica! And again Buffon looked
worried. Ruiz clipped a dainty ball in from deep and Duarte flicked a
back-header just over the bar, with Buffon not knowing whether to come
for it or not.
Buffon has looked unconvincing. Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty
Updated
38 min: Bryan Ruiz, showing the dynamism that made him such a
favourite at Craven Cottage, dances past two Italians and then
unleashes a tricky low shot from 20 yards. Like a hip dad challenged to
win a dance-off to prevent the local discotheque from being shut, Buffon
gets down to save. "Costa Rica knows a thing or two about punching
above their weight based
on their qualifying through CONCACAF," roars Daniel Stauss. "Not that
the US and Mexico are on
the same level as Italy, but credit where it's due, Costa Rica ground
out a 0-0 draw at the Azteca against Mexico and handed the US a 3-1 loss
in San Jose. Leaving Honduras aside, CONCACAF has represented well so
far." Best be careful what you say about Honduran players: they seem to
track you down and reply with a two-footed lunge.
Updated
36 min: The corner, like all that hope invested in England pre-tournament, comes to nothing.
35 min: Buffon dives to his left to push away a decent long-range curler from Bolanos. That means another corner for Costa Rica. "Win,
lose or draw, Italy will still need a result against Uruguay to
advance," bugles Mark Weiner. "A draw is no different than a victory for them, as they could
still be eliminated with a Uruguay victory. So
expect Italy to close it down and walk off the field 0-0 and England’s
elimination."
33 min: That's better from Balotelli! He unleashes a meaty
shot from the edge of the area - but it was straight at the keeper, who
managed to scramble it away.
Updated
30 min: What a chance for Balotelli! And what a miss! For the
first time in the match the Costa Rican defence was prised apart by a
wonderful ball from Pirlo. Balotelli peeled off his marker to run on to
it and then, from 10 yards, tried to lift a dainty lob over the
advancing goalkeeper ... but it was the finish of a dilletante rather
than a deadly striker and the ball dropped meekly wide. Perhaps he's
having second thoughts about getting a kiss from the Queen?
Balotelli is released by Pirlo and is through on goal. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/GettyBut chips the ball tamely wide. Photograph: Ruben Sprich/Reuters
Updated
28 min: With much of the play mired in midfield, it's worth
wondering which team would be happier with a draw. Costa Rica, probably,
as that would mean Uruguay and Italy would face an intense face-off in
the final game of the group while Costa Rica could take a draw against
England - or just go and beat England, who seem resigned to going out
already.
26 min: Balotelli gets enough on to a long ball to knock it
down for Thiago Motta, who lets fly from 26 yards. His shot trickles
wide ... but at least it's a shot, Italy's first of the game. "Hello
Paul, greetings from Portugal," greets Martinho Lucas Pires. "As a
devoted fan of the Guardian
Football Team of Live Game Commentaries, I
must say that I was terribly shocked by England's defeat yesterday. To
try to cheer things up a beat, following this good initial start from
Costa Rica, I feel it is good to remember that this is, and will always
be, Italy. I explain myself. They can use all the attacking style that
they want nowadays, and pretend that they also enter this new fashion of
'joga bonito'. It is only a distraction, because deep down inside, we
all know, they are still Italians, meaning that: one, they do not need
to play well to win; two, even when they play horribly, they win; and
three, they have the most incredible defensive luck of all time. Never
forget that, if Costa Rica seems to be on the verge of winning." What's
the Portuguese equivalent of the term 'clutching at straws'?
Our man Paolo Bandini offers a possible explanation for Italy's slow start
21 min: Balotelli gets a semi-decent pass for the first time
in the match and he collects it well on his chest before beating his
marker. But two other Costa Ricans converge on him quickly as he tries
to wriggle his way into the box and the striker is eventually
dispossessed.
Balotelli is being tightly marked by the Costa Ricans. Michael Umana grabs his shirt. Photograph: Kai Foersterling/EPA
Updated
19 min: Campbell delivers another Costa Rica corner, from the
opposite side the previous ones. He overhits it but Duarte scampers
after it and keeps the ball in before attempting another cross, which
clobbers Chiellini right in the mush. Throw-in to Costa Rica, a sore
nose to Chiellini.
18 min: Costa Rica are the better team so far. Italy seem increasingly flustered ...
15 min: Italy's slackness is summed up by an errant pass by
Marchisio, which leads to the needless concession of a corner. Buffon
does not look especially sprightly as he comes for it but manages to
punch it to safety.
13 min: Italy manage to shift play up the edge of the the
Costa Rican box but they are foiled by the discipline and sheer
peskiness of the underdogs, who have deployed a five-man defence and
four energetic midfielders.
10 min: There hasn't been much to encourage England fans so
far: Costa Rica are looking dynamic and composed. They've disrupted
Italy and prevented them from finding rhythm. Aside from a couple of
slack passes early on, there has been no hint of an Italian breakthrough
and the Ticos have carried a threat going forward.
Costa Rica have started brightly in the heat
at the Arena Pernambuco. Here, Italy's Andrea Barzagli challenges
Costa Rica's Yeltsin Tejeda Photograph: Ruben Sprich/Reuters
Updated
7 min: Close for Costa Rica! Buffon came for a corner with
all the effectiveness of a suddenly awoken man groping in the dark for
his dressing gown. Borgres rose high but not quite high enough to apply a
downward header and so nods over the bar from six yards. A let-off for
Italy and England, or Itland if you want to keep it short.
5 min: Costa Rica knocked the ball around nicely for a minute
but were then guilty of being too relaxed, as a lazy cross-field ball
was intercepted by Marchisio, who was chopped down by Duarte. The
lenient ref decides against issuing a yellow card.
3 min: Diaz loses possession in midfield and Candreva hurtles
down the left - but his cross is cut out by Gonzalez, who then clears
the danger. "Do you think it's telling that despite Italy and Pirlo
being ace, they
still aren't arrogant enough to try and play an ageing player in a
midfield two, even though his passing is both more reliable and
destructive than Gerrard's?" thunders Ethan Dean-Richards. "Despite how
it can seem, the good teams
aren't perfect either, but part of the reason they're good is that they
know their weaknesses and make sure they aren't easily exploited"I don't
think it was arrogance that led to that English line-up: I think it was
weakness, a desire to pander to the masses instead of make hard calls.
1 min: Italy win the toss - hurrah! - and kick off. "It's
team-time back home - I'm sure pasta in on the menu," says the BBC
commentator, obviously keen to prolong the tradition established in 2002
by John Motson, who insisted on working food references into almost
every utterance.
The Ticos' theme tune is also an upbeat one, as befits the cheeriest
nation on Earth - which is the status officially bestowed upon them by
the Happy Planet Index: and that was before the victory over Uruguay.
The Costa Ricans look supremely chilled, smiling and chatting ahead of
kick-off, so unlike the earnest seriousness of England's usual pre-game
demeanour.
The Italian tune passes off without a hitch, a jaunty number with which the players sing along merrily, though Pirlo, as ever, seems to be putting to be putting in less effort than everyone else - but he probably has the voice of Pavarotti.
Mario Balotelli lines up before the match.
If Italy win today, he wants a kiss from the Queen, 'obviously on the
cheek.' Photograph: Lars Baron/FIFA/Getty
Updated
The familiar Disney-like theme blasts through the stadium PA to
herald the teams' arrival on to the pitch, where they will line up for
the customary formalities, assuming the organisers have managed to find
the correct anthems and flags, unlike in the France-Honduras match or
the opening ceremony.
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