Germany and Ghana played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in Group G on Saturday night, with neither side able to grab the winner in an end-to-end second half.

In the second 45 Thomas Muller crossed for Mario Gotze to put Germany in front, but Andre Ayew equalised with a header of his own.

Ghana then took the lead through a fine finish from Asamoah Gyan, but Miroslav Klose levelled with his first touch, which also put him on par with Ronaldo on 15 World Cup goals.

Here, Sports Mole take a closer look to analyse the action.

Match statistics

Germany
Shots: 11
On target: 6
Possession: 59%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 11

Ghana
Shots: 20
On target: 10
Possession: 41%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 17

Was the result fair?

It would have been very harsh on either team to lose this game, so on balance a draw was the only reasonable result. The first half was very poor, with Ghana keeping things tight at the back, but as they increased in confidence the game opened up in the second 45 and there was plenty of attacking play. Both defences left plenty to be desired at times, but it made for a very entertaining clash as both sets of players could have given nothing more.

Germany's performance

They were tough to contain going forward, but this was not quite the smooth, comfortable performance that we have become used to watching Germany. Philipp Lahm and Sami Khedira did not have as much time on the ball in midfield as they would have wanted, which led to very few chances created in the first half. Thomas Muller moved well and was tidy on the ball, but there was too much sloppy passing from the defence and midfield for them to warrant victory.

Ghana's performance

They left everything out on the pitch and were well worthy of a point. Their defence did an admirable job, with several last-ditch tackles and clearances, particularly in the second half, but they were also a threat going forward. They possess several players with a good turn of speed, and this really did cause concern to some of the less mobile German defenders.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Asamoah Gyan: He so often impresses for his country and tonight was no exception at all. He might have had one or two goals before he did put his side in front with a really well-worked goal, and generally caused havoc with his movement alongside Andre Ayew in the second half. He linked up with the midfield superbly, and was the focal point of a couple of counter-attacks late on.

Biggest gaffe

Mubarak Wukaso came off the bench to have a decent impact in the second half, but he really should have been involved in a winner for his team. Following a late corner, Ghana had a chance three-on-two, but before Gyan could find him with the pass Wukaso had frustratingly strayed offside and the golden chance was gone.

Referee performance

Sandro Ricci did not have a lot of calls to make in what was a really free-flowing game of football. There were quite a few fouls conceded throughout the course of the game, but he did not reach for his yellow card until stoppage time. In what was an important game he could easily have lost control, but it was a strong performance from the referee.

What next?

Germany: Will need to make sure that they get the job done when they take on the USA in their next game. It will be far from easy against their former head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Ghana: It is simple for Ghana - they must win against Portugal in their final game to stand a chance. Even that might not be enough depending on other results, but they at least know their part.

Written by
Matt Domm