Germany has defeated the United States 1-0
With both of the teams playing eventually advancing from the “Group of Death“, the game was a game of victors in the end. However, the game was still competitive, because there was still a chance of one of the two not making it through. The Germans won the group with a powerful seven points, where the United States squeaked through with four, beating Portugal on goal differential. Both teams played well in all their games, but the powerful Germans were too much to handle in Group G. Here are the German player ratings.
Manuel Neuer – 7: He kept a clean sheet, although he did not have much to do throughout the game. However, he did distribute the ball well and at many times played in a deep sweeper role to become more involved in the game.
Jerome Boateng – 8: Boateng played right back, as he has for the entirety of the Group Stage. Against the United States, Boateng showed massive improvement in acting as a full back instead of a centre half, getting up the pitch and staying wider. He also defended very well, earning himself a rating of eight.
Benedikt Howedes – 5: Howedes is another natural center back, but has not adopted to full back as much as Boateng. Lacking pace and decision making at some times, Howedes did not have his best game.
Per Mertersacker and Mats Hummels – 7: The strong, powerful centre back pair was not troubled at all throughout the game, expect when they handed Clint Dempsey a header from 3 yards which he astonishingly put over the bar. They receive a seven for their solid defending and distribution at the back.
Philipp Lahm – 9: Again another solid performance from a Bayern Munich player, Lahm impressed in the midfield all afternoon. Weaving passes and shutting down play maker Michael Bradley, Lahm had a world class performance.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – 7: Not the best of performances from a usually world class midfielder. He did, however, play well on the ball and drew fouls in dangerous areas of the pitch.
Toni Kroos – 7: A player that will make you pay when you give him time, Kroos played a decent game. He did not have many shining moments, but he still maintained possession and helped the Germans dominate the midfield.
Mesut Ozil – 5: Usually a midfield maestro, Ozil was not himself today. He did not influence the game very much and may have even lost his starting spot next game.
Thomas Muller – 8: Nine goals and four assists in nine World Cup matches. He added another to his tally today netting the only goal in a 1-0 victory. Muller was all over the pitch providing and taking chances himself, earning an eight player rating.
Lukas Podolski – 4: The left winger failed to influence the game in his first appearance in the Brazil World Cup. He has relatively no impact on the game, and was substituted off at halftime.
Substitutes:
Miroslav Klose – 6: He did not have to many chances throughout the second half, and snatched at the few he did. For the ice cold finisher he is, he did not have a great game.
Mario Gotze – 6: Gotze, who has played well in the first to games of the World Cup, did not have a huge impact on the game either. He is said to have an injury problem, but expect to see him in the starting lineup for the Knockout Stages.
Andre Schurrle – 5: The Chelsea winger did not have a great game either. He was poor, and did not use his pace or his powerful shot to exploit the American defense.
Overall, the Germans played another game of powerful, machine-like play-type which has led them to become one of the favorites to win the World Cup.
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