NELSPRUIT, South Africa: Germany beat Ghana 1-0 after a second-half goal from Mesut Oezil to win Group D and set up a second-round World Cup clash with traditional rival England.
Ghana also advanced despite Wednesday’s loss at Soccer City and became the first African team to make the round of 16 at the first World Cup held on the continent.
"It was a tense game. We could have made more out of our opportunities," Germany coach Joachim Loew said.
"We were not very precise up front. But I can’t blame my young players, there was a lot of pressure, we had to win. And now we are really looking forward to England.
Germany won the group with six points and Ghana was second with four, going through on goal difference thanks to Australia’s 2-1 victory over Serbia in the other match.
Oezil rifled a left-footed shot from outside the area into the left corner of the net to break the deadlock in the 60th minute after both teams had wasted a number of chances.
"I simply shot the ball, but I should have scored in the first half too," said Oezil, who was voted man of the match.
"I had a lot of support from my teammates. It doesn’t matter whom we play next, we have to keep winning."
Once the scoreboard had flashed the result of the other match, Ghana players celebrated their progress, waving the country’s flag and running to the corner where their supporters were.
The Black Stars went through thanks to their 1-0 win over Serbia and a 1-1 draw with Australia.
"It was a very difficult match but we fought and it was enough to get us through," said Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew. "We had opportunities but the important thing is that we went through."
Germany had been in danger of failing to advance from the group stage for the first time but the three-time champions had the upper hand throughout the match, without taking unnecessary risks.
Tim Cahill and Brett Holman scored second-half goals Wednesday to help Australia beat Serbia 2-1 in Group D of the World Cup, though both teams were eliminated.
Cahill put the Australians ahead with a glancing header from Luke Wilkshire’s cross in the 69th minute and Holman added the second from long range four minutes later.
"A lot of respect for the lads. We’ve been through some hard times here," said Cahill, who was sent off in the team’s opening match.
"I’m just buzzing to hit the back of the net because this time last week my World Cup was over."
Marko Pantelic pulled a goal back for Serbia in the 84th, and then had a chance for a late equalizer but couldn’t control a bouncing ball.
If Serbia had drawn, the team would have advanced ahead of Ghana.
"I’m just disappointed we don’t go through. We have four points, I thought it might be enough," Australia coach Pim Verbeek said. "In the end the goal difference against Germany killed us."
Australia’s defense had been torn apart by Germany’s wide players in its opening 4-0 loss and Serbia’s early attacks were concentrated down the wings through Milos Krasic and Milan Jovanovic.
"We did our best, everything we could," Serbia coach Radomir Antic said.
"This was a good game and I can’t reproach my players as we had plenty of chances that we didn’t take. In the end, we deserved more than what we got and now we have to go back home."
Australia made the round of 16 four years ago but lost to eventual champion Italy.
"Four years ago four points was enough," Verbeek said. "This time it was not enough."
