Host Germans Gain Another Shut Out & First Place In World Cup
Posted June 20, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Miroslav Klose was the hero in this one, scoring twice.
His first tally came after Ecucador failed to clear the ball from its zone and went back to defender Per Mertesacker. He sailed it past the post, but Bastian Schweinsteiger crossed it right back into Klose’s path, and his shot didn’t miss, nestling into the far post.
His second effort came later, after captain Michael Ballack chipped a pass to the edge of the Ecuador box. Klose then shook off two defenders while playing the ball off his thigh, went around Mora and coolly slotted home.
He now has an impressive nine goal in World Cup games, and celebrated his markers with his trademark on field somersault.
But if he’s the individual star, the defence continues to head for collective greatness. Germany hasn’t allowed a goal in either of its two games.
The victory gave the Germans a maximum of nine points and first place in Group A, but neither team really needed this game. Germany and Ecuador both knew they’d be heading to the second round before the kickoff.
