Giants struggle: Germany draws; Argentina gets last-gasp winner

Alleged World Cup title contenders Germany and Argentina were breathing a sigh of relief last night after surviving tough matches. Germany drew with Ghana 2-2 and Lionel Messi gave his side an injury time goal to win 1-0 over Iran.

Please join us on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bangkokpostlearning

Video highlights here: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186493/index.html

Record-equalling Klose saves German blushes

FORTALEZA, Brazil, AFP – Miroslav Klose equalled Brazilian legend Ronaldo's record of 15 World Cup goals to spare Germany's blushes with the equaliser in Saturday's 2-2 Group G draw against Ghana.

Mario Goetze had given Germany the lead before goals from Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan turned the game on its head and threatened to cause a major upset for the Black Stars in Fortaleza.

But Klose had the last laugh with a poacher's goal just 19 minutes from time.

"It doesn't matter whether I play from the start or come off the bench: all games are important and 15 goals in 20 World Cup games isn't bad," said the Lazio striker.

Earlier, Thomas Mueller picked out Goetze running into the box and the Bayern Munich midfielder mistimed his header, but the ball went in off his knee before rebounding past Ghana goalkeeper Abdul-Fatawu Dauda.

The lead lasted only three minutes.

Harrison Afful crossed into the box and Ayew, on his 50th appearance for the Black Stars, climbed above Shkodran Mustafi and the static Per Mertesacker, playing his 100th game for Germany, to flick a header beyond goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Nine minutes later things got even better for Ghana as Muntari dispossessed Germany captain Philipp Lahm in midfield and slid the ball through to Black Stars captain Gyan to smash the ball past Neuer.

The Black Stars broke out in some impressive dance moves in celebration after Gyan's goal.

Ghana were running riot and Germany were just hanging on, but an inspired substitution by coach Joachim Loew brought Klose into the fray to stab home from a yard out after Benedikt Hoewedes flicked on Toni Kroos's corner.

With the USA playing Portugal in Manaus on Sunday, the result breathes life back into Ghana's hopes of reaching the last 16.

The Germans could be knocked from top of the group and must beat Jurgen Klinsmann's Stars and Stripes in Recife on Thursday to be sure of reaching the knock-out stages.

Video highlights here: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186466/index.html

Messi stunner breaks Iranian hearts in stoppage time

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, AFP – A stunning injury time strike from Lionel Messi spared Argentina's blushes as they qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup with a hard fought 1-0 win over Iran in Belo Horizonte.

Argentina had been thankful to three fine second-half saves from goalkeeper Sergio Romero just to be level heading into stoppage time, while Iran had also had a strong penalty appeal waved away when Pablo Zabaleta appeared to foul Ashkan Dejagah inside the area.

However, despite having endured a quiet game by his standards, Messi produced a moment of magic when his side needed it most to register his second goal of the tournament.

Messi created the half yard of space he needed on the edge of the area before leaving goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi with no chance as he curled the ball just inside the far corner with his favoured left foot.

Messi assured there is more still to come from his side

"We are not showing what we can do, but with a run of games I think we will get there.

"We are the first ones to know we have not reached the level we would like," said the Barcelona forward.

"They made the game very difficult for us," admitted Argentine boss Alejandro Sabella.

"Messi was marked very tightly, but he showed perseverance, patience, attitude and always looked for the goal. He never gave up."

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz also praised Messi's match-defining contribution, but claimed his side had been undone by Serbian referee Milorad Mazic's decision not to award a penalty when his side were on top in the second-half.

"Messi was fantastic, but the referee wasn't," said the former Real Madrid coach.

Click here for our complete World Cup coverage: http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/413146/following-the-world-cup-in-english

Here is everything you need to follow the World Cup competition in English: http://bit.ly/RlaA3Y

สามารถฝึกอ่านออกเสียงและดูคำแปลได้ที่ : http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/416721/giants-struggle-germany-draws-argentina-gets-last-gasp-winner