RECIFE, Brazil — Thomas Mueller's second-half goal saw Germany sail to a 1-0 victory over the United States in World Cup Group G Thursday, a result that saw both teams progress to the knockout stage of the tournament. Germany topped the group and will face the runner-up in Group H while the United States finished second and will face Group H's winner. Portugal which beat Ghana 2-1 is eliminated with the Africans. The Germans dominated the game with Juergen Klinsmann's team, with their backs againt the wall, creating very few chances. The breakthrough came after 55 minutes when Tim Howard parried out a Per Mertesacker header but Mueller collected the loose ball on the edge of the area and superbly side-footed into the bottom corner. The game had been threatened by a torrential downpour in the north-eastern city of Recife Thursday morning but the heavy rain that hampered the preparations of fans and players alike eased to a drizzle as kickoff approached. Despite the fact that both sides only needed a draw to qualify there was no shortage of attacking intent in the lively opening exchanges, with Mueller going close early on from Lukas Podolski's low cross. Both sides flew into challenges in the battle for supremacy in midfield, and US coach Juergen Klinsmann and his German counterpart Joachim Loew will be glad the referee didn't wave the yellow card more often as they head for the knockout stages. Content to concede possession for long periods, the Americans put in a blue-collar defensive performance, breaking forward when the opportunity arose, but with their superior technique and ball movement, the Germans were always a threat. The Amercans had several chances of their own but lacked the pace and guile necessary to unduly worry German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Ronaldo strikes In Brasilia, an own goal by John Boye and a late strike by Cristiano Ronaldo gave Portugal a 2-1 win over incident-hit Ghana Thursday but it was not enough to make the second round. Portugal finished level on four points with the United States in Group G but the Americans advanced to the last 16 courtesy of a better goal difference despite their 1-0 loss to group winner Germany. Boye's poor attempt at a first half clearance summed up a disappointing match between two teams who needed big victories in the Brazilian capital to have a chance of advancing. The defender swiped at a 31st minute cross from Portuguese fullback Miguel Veloso which hit his knee and then the crossbar before nestling in the back of the net. The goal came after a Ghana break ended when Bahrain official Nawaf Shukralla accidentally blocked an attempted pass, handing possession to the Portuguese who went up field and scored. The Ghanaians improved after the break and striker Asamoah Gyan headed them level at the back post after a brilliant cross with the outside of his foot by Kwadwo Asamoah in the 57th minute. Gyan then turned provider, putting in another ball from the left for an unmarked Abdul Majeed Waris moments later but the striker could only steer his header wide from six yards out. The wasted effort proved costly as Portugal skipper and World Player of the Year Ronaldo smashed his side ahead in the 80th minute after Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda flapped at a high ball, sending it straight to the Real Madrid forward. Ronaldo should have had another minutes later but Dauda was on hand to parry the forward's side footed effort from close range, with the keeper also blocking an effort from the skipper in the dying stages. The World Cup exit completed a miserable two days for the Africans who were embroiled in a pay row and kicked out midfielders Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari for ill-discipline hours before Thursday's kick-off. — Agencies
