Ghana through after Aussies stun Serbia

The 21-year-old Ozil took the Man of the Match award but it needed a display of pure sacrifice from every player on the German team to eke out the win that took them through as Group D winners and set up a second round match against England.

The result, coupled with Australia's surprise 2-1 win over Serbia, sent Ghana through along with Germany and on this evidence both sides will have options to make further progress.

Germany will have reminded a lot of people of their traditional virtues as the three-times world champions soaked up intense pressure in the second half.

Image: Australia's Tim Cahill celebrates fater