Salvador (Brazil),
June 17:
United States avenged the losses to Ghana in the past two World Cups with a 2-1 win in a brutal contest but the limelight belonged to German striker Thomas Mueller who scored this World Cup’s maiden hat-trick in a stunning annihilation of Portugal on the fifth day of the event here.
In fact, it was a night to remember for all the Germans connected to the action. If the team itself humiliated a 10-man Portugal 4-0, it was the German-born John Brooks who sealed it for the Americans against the 2010 quaterfinalists. Incidentally, the Americans are being coached by German legend Juergen Klinsmann.
In the other match of the day, Iran and Nigeria settled for a rather drab 0-0 draw in group F.
The thrashing that Germany handed to the Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal was courtesy a Mueller hat-trick and one strike by defender Mats Hummels. The Unites States victory over Ghana was scripted by skipper Clint Dempsey and Brooks.
Andre Ayew pulled off the lone goal for Ghana.
The Americans were the first to get on the scoresheet when Dempsey sent in a left-footed shot past Ghana goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey in just under one minute of the match’s start. His was the fifth fastest goal scored in the history of the World Cup.
However, Andrew Ayew drew level for Ghana in the 82nd minute feeding off a back-heel pass from skipper Asamoah Gyan. The proceedings were set for a more dramtic turn when Brooks, who came in as a substitute, headed in an ultimately decisive goal in the 86th minute.
The 21-year-old defender’s strike left the Ghana players shocked and they just did not have the time to recover after that.
The win aside, the Americans were left quite brutalised at the end of the match with their striker Jozy Altidore being carried off on a stretcher after sustaining a hamstring sprain.
Dempsey too sustained a bloodied nose due to a kick from Ghana defender John Boye in the 31st minute but he played on. He later admitted to having trouble breathing and was coughing blood.
Earlier, Iran and Nigeria played out this World Cup’s first draw in a dull match devoid of any major shots at the goal from either side.
The draw at the Arena da Baixada in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba followed 12 mostly high scoring and attacking games. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel