In total, day 15 of the 2014 World Cup saw seven goals and one potential candidate for goal of the tournament. Germany’s Thomas Mueller, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Algeria’s Islam Slimani were just a few of the players responsible for Thursday’s onslaught of offensive efficiency.
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Below are highlights of all seven goals and brief recaps of each result.
USA 0-1 Germany
Goals: Germany—Muller 55’
Complete and utter domination saw Germany capture a 1-0 victory over the U.S. men’s national team on Thursday. Early on, the ball claimed residence in the defensive half of the United States. The first 15 minutes played like a light training session for Germany. A bending finish off a rebound allowed Thomas Muller to give his team the 1-0 lead in the 55th minute. The United States had little, if anything to offer from there.
Portugal 2-1 Ghana
Goals: Portugal—Boye 31’ (own goal), Ronaldo 80’; Ghana—Gyan 57’
A mildly entertaining affair saw Portugal defeat Ghana 2-1 on Thursday. Ghana opened the affair in the 31st minute thanks to a peach of a finish from defender John Boye. Unfortunately for the Black Stars, it was for the other side. Portugal would carry a 1-0 lead into the locker rooms. Drama would ensue. A finish from Asamoah Gyan in the 57th minute put Ghana one goal from advancing to the Round of 16. Cristiano Ronaldo had other plans. A dagger in the dying minutes of the match left both teams eliminated from the tournament.
South Korea 0-1 Belgium
Goals: Belgium—Jan Vertonghen 83'
Belgium defeated South Korea 1-0 on Thursday. Both teams entered the half scoreless, unable to capitalize on a myriad of chances. Belgium was forced to do so with 10 men. A rash tackle from Steven Defour gifted South Korea a man advantage for the entire second half. The team did nothing with it. A rebounded strike from Jan Vertonghen gave Belgium an insurmountable 1-0 lead and the eventual win.
Algeria 1-1 Russia
Goals: Algeria—Slimani 60’; Russia—Kokorin 6’
History was made in Curitiba on Thursday, seeing Algeria advance to the Round of 16 thanks to a 1-1 draw with Russia. It all of six minutes to put Algeria’s advancement in jeopardy. A towering header from Alexander Kokorin gave Russia the early 1-0 lead. Islam Slimani would eventually respond with one of his one, polishing off a Yacine Brahimi cross in the 60th minute. Algeria would hold on from there and secure its first ever qualification for the knockout rounds.
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