Germany 2-2 Ghana: Klose moves level with Ronaldo to salvage late draw
The veteran is now just one goal shy of becoming the
leading goalscorer in World Cup history after coming off the bench to
spare his nation's blushes
Miroslav Klose scored his 15th World Cup goal to salvage a late 2-2 draw with Ghana in Fortaleza.
The veteran striker came off the bench in the 70th minute in
Fortaleza on Saturday and had an almost immediate impact, prodding home
at the back post in trademark fashion to take his finals tally to 15,
level with legendary Brazilian Ronaldo.
After a turgid first half, the game burst into life six minutes after
the break when Mario Gotze finished Thomas Muller's wonderful
right-wing cross.
Knowing that defeat would leave them on the brink of elimination,
Ghana were sparked into action and turned the match around through Andre
Ayew's header and then Asamoah Gyan's clinical finish.
Gyan's goal sparked action from Germany head coach Joachim Low, who
introduced Klose in place of Gotze, and - as he has done so often in the
past - the 36-year-old showed his predatory instincts with 19 minutes
left to earn his side a point.
The draw means that Germany remain top of Group G on four points,
although they could be overtaken by the United States should Jurgen
Klinsmann's side beat Portugal on Sunday.
Ghana fielded three changes from their 2-1 defeat to the United
States and made a bright start, Gyan firing an effort over the crossbar
under pressure from Per Mertesacker in the seventh minute.