Germany, Algeria, US and Belgium complete knockout lineup

27 มิถุนายน 2557

Germany, Belgium and Portugal were winners yesterday, but the United States, losers to the Germans, edge out Ronaldo's side on goal difference. Algeria also advances after a draw with Russia.

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Germany's forward Thomas Mueller, the only goalscorer of the match, runs with the ball during a Group G football match between US and Germany at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / NELSON ALMEIDA

Mueller strikes for Germany, Algeria, US, Belgium advance

RECIFE, Brazil, AFP – Germany striker Thomas Mueller joined Neymar and Lionel Messi on top of the World Cup goalscoring charts on Thursday as Algeria stunned Russia to reach the second round for the first time.

Mueller's long-range strike settled a 1-0 victory over the United States which saw the Germans claim first place in Group G ahead of the Americans, who squeezed into the last 16 on goal difference ahead of Portugal. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186469/index.html)

It was Mueller's fourth goal of the tournament and the ninth World Cup goal of his career after he finished top-scorer in the 2010 finals.

"We were clearly the dominant team on the pitch," Mueller said after a victory which sets up a second round meeting with Algeria.

Football fans walk through the pouring rain as they arrive at the stadium prior to the Group G football match between US and Germany. The area was hit by torrential rain causing considerable flooding. AFP PHOTO / NELSON ALMEIDA

"The Americans were strong, especially at the start and it was hard to play against them as they stood so deep, but all in all, we played well.

"We have big plans, with our team spirit and a bit of luck we can go far."

Despite the defeat, United States players and coaching staff celebrated at their achievement in progressing from a difficult group in which they had been expected to struggle.

Germany's coach Joachim Loew (L) and US German coach Juergen Klinsmann (R) arrive on the pitch AFP PHOTO / NELSON ALMEIDA

"It's huge getting out of this group," said United States' coach Jurgen Klinsmann. "Everybody said 'You have no chance' but we took our chance and now we move on and we really want to prove a point," added Klinsmann, whose side now play Belgium in the next round.

Portugal's forward and captain Cristiano Ronaldo (L) strikes the ball to score a goal during the Group G football match between Portugal and Ghana at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilia during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EVARISTO SA

It was a disappointing World Cup for world footballer of the year Ronaldo, shown here after the match with Ghana. AFP PHOTO/ CARL DE SOUZA

While Germany and the United States celebrated, there was disappointment for world footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portugal captain scored his first goal of the tournament in a 2-1 win over Ghana but it was not enough to prevent his side exiting in the first round.

Portugal had needed a big win over Ghana, but Ronaldo's normally unerring eye for goal deserted him, the Real Madrid star missing several promising openings.

"The match today was a match we tried to win and we did win. We created many opportunities but we could not finish them all," said a disappointed Ronaldo.

"We knew we had to score three goals and we were depending on the result of the Germany game.

The defeat completed a miserable campaign for 2010 quarter-finalists Ghana, who never recovered after losing 2-1 to the United States in their opening match. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186469/index.html)

A row over player bonuses earlier this week led to the bizarre spectacle of $3 million being airlifted to the squad from Ghana ahead of the Portugal match.

Just hours before kick-off stars Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng were axed from the squad for indiscipline.

The shock of the day came in Group H, where Algeria reached the last 16 for the first time in their history as Islam Slimani's second-half header earned them a 1-1 draw against Russia in Curitiba. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186506/index.html)

Alexander Kokorin put the Russians in front after just six minutes with an accurate header into the top corner.

Algeria's forward Islam Slimani (R/13#) heads the ball to score a goal past Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev (2R/1#) during the Group H football match between Algeria and Russia at The Baixada Arena in Curitiba on June 26, 2014, during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE

However, Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev's nightmare tournament continued when he completely missed Yacine Brahimi's free-kick allowing Slimani to nod home his second goal of the tournament.

Russia boss Fabio Capello said there was no doubt Akinfeev had been distracted by a green laser beam shone in his face.

"He was blinded by the laser beam. There are pictures and you can see that in the footage," said the Italian. "It is not an excuse. The goalkeeper was unable to do his job. The laser beam was in his face."

Belgium's defender Jan Vertonghen (R) scores during a Group H football match between South Korea and Belgium at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN

Belgium secured top spot in Group H with a 1-0 defeat of South Korea in Sao Paulo. (Video highlights: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186480/index.html)

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