First published on The National's website on June 22, 2014 FORTALEZA // A European juggernaut against an African powerhouse, played in the country known as the spiritual home of football and with an intensity rarely seen at such fragile stages of a major football tournament. Toni Kroos might not have enjoyed it, but the millions watching on television around the world certainly did. Germany versus Ghana in Fortaleza produced one of the most enthralling, engrossing World Cup matches in recent memory. A second-half filled with fast-paced attacking football featured breathless end-to-end action until the final whistle sounded. The fact it was played in stifling humidity on Brazil’s suffocating north-east coast made it all the more impressive. |
If only it was football all the time.The reckless abandon with which both teams attacked their opponents was more reminiscent of a 12th round boxing bout than a 45-minute period of football. A gripping slugfest complete with jibs and jabs and haymakers. It even ended with a knockout blow in the form of Thomas Mueller’s 94th minute bloodied nose.
Even for a World Cup that has routinely roused and proved well worth the four-year wait, this was special. A balanced first half sparked into life in the second when Mario Goetze’s goal appeared to almost occur by mistake. A downwards header on to his own knee was not the opening goal the game deserved, but in its role as the instigator for what would follow, it must now be seen as outstanding.
Andre Ayew headed a superb equaliser and, with the tempo now tempestuous, the goal-count rose to four in 20 minutes. Two World Cup records were equalled. In the years to come, when questions are asked regarding Miroslav Klose and his ability to instinctively find the net, this is the game that will be referenced. Practically with his first touch, he poked home to claim a 15th goal at 20 finals matches and equal Ronaldo’s record. He did very little other than that.
The same cannot be said of Asamoah Gyan, who ran his heart out, constantly looked dangerous and hit a goal with such force Fifa may well this morning be considering apologising to the net for its trauma. It was his fifth at a World Cup and means he has equalled Roger Milla of Cameroon’s record. His side still have at least one game to play.
Such feats cannot be ignored when it comes to analysing the historical relevance of football matches.
Can a classic be a classic if it neither produces a winner nor results in heartbreak or joy? Can it be ranked alongside some of the World Cup’s most memorable matches if nothing definite was decided by the outcome? Can it be held up as a benchmark for compelling viewing if the entire first half could be written off as non-eventful.
Does it matter? It was as absorbing as could be and as important as it needed to be. Neither side deserved to lose and neither side lost. The goals were not the result of poor defending, but potent attacking. That is what made the game great. That is not, as Kroos said, football sometimes, but rather football rarely. Let us merely be glad we witnessed it. ISWAS