[starttext]
By Ian Ladyman at Soccer City, Johannesburg
Screamer: Mesut Ozil fires Germany into the last 16 - and a match-up with England Last 16 meeting with Germany was certainly not what England would have wished for when this World Cup began but Joachim Low's team were unconvincing enough to give their great rivals hope as they stumbled past Ghana.
The winning goal from their gifted midfielder Mesut Ozil was certainly of the highest quality as the Werder Bremen player lashed in a stunning drive from the edge of the penalty area in the 59th minute.
But this was a nervous and unconvincing showing from Germany, certainly far removed from the manner in which they thrashed Australia in their opening group game.
This, remember, is the team who are supposed to have a much greater mastery of the controversial Jubalani ball after a season of playing with it in their own Bundesliga.
The expression on German coach Low's face spoke volumes at times last night.
Previously, he has appeared uber-cool on the touchline, a dashing figure in trademark v-neck sweater. He was wrapped up against the chill Johannesburg night and wound up like a coil for most of the proceedings.
Further good news for England came with the sight of Germany's influential midfielder Sebastien Schweinsteiger lying prone on the touchline late in the game with a cold compress being applied to what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
By full-time at Soccer City, everybody was happy.
Hard-fought: Asamoah Gyan sees his shot blocked by Arne FriedrichThe Germans were relieved that their peculiar stumble over the last two games had not cost them the top spot in the group while Ghana were exhilarated to be the first - and maybe only - African team to make it to the second phase.
Certainly the African celebrations were more noteable. As South African fans joined their neighbours in rejoicing, two Ghana players raced around the field with their national flag trailing beind them.
Ghana knew they had second place and a manageable knock-out game with the Americans in their possession.
They were dangerous on the counter all night and England coach Capello will certainly have noted how easily Asamoah Gyan got between and behind German centre halves Arne Friedrich and Per Mertesacker.
Saving grace: Germany keeper Manuel Neuer stops Kwadwo Asamoah's effortGhana could have scored on two or three occasions in the first half as German captain Philipp Lahm cleared a Gyan header from the line and Schweinsteiger made a desperate covering tackle on Andre Ayew.
Lahm should have scored at the other end and Ozil spurned a great chance when one-on-one with Richard Kingson. But the game was decided just before the hour when German keeper Manuel Neuer saved brilliantly when Kwadwo Asamoah was clean through and then Ozil stepped up to thrash his winning goal past Wigan reserve goalkeeper Kingson.
A truly formidable German side would then have closed this game out, but not this one. Instead their hearts were in their mouths with 25 minutes left when Ayew looked set to equalise from 12 yards only for Lahm to intervene.
There was no discernible malice towards Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng after the FA Cup Final tackle that ended Michael Ballack's hopes of playing out here.
It was said that Germany's chance of winning this World Cup disappeared when Ballack was ruled out. The jury remains out.
Have they flattered to deceive? It is England's job now to find out.
[endtext]