2010 World Cup: Germany v Serbia full time report
Germany 0 Serbia 1
Milan Jovanovic’s first half goal secured Serbia their first three points of the World Cup against Germany. However, the game was marred by a contentious red card to Miroslav Klose, as the Germans crashed to a 1-0 defeat in Port Elizabeth.
Klose was shown his second yellow card on the 34th minute by Spanish referee Alberto Undiano for an innocuous challenge on Dejan Stankovic, and the Serbians capitalised on their man advantage just a minute later.
Germany enjoyed the best of the opening stages after going close through Podolski and controlling the tempo of the game. Serbia, meanwhile, looked far more organised than they did in their World Cup opener against Ghana, but rarely looked like scoring during the first half hour.
Spanish referee Undiano had booked a host of players for a series of routine fouls, and he was to be at the centre of controversy with 10 minutes of the first half remaining when he showed Klose a second yellow card for his foul on Stankovic.
Clearly buoyed by Klose’s dismissal, Serbia responded immediately by taking the lead. A perfect ball from the byline from Krasic found Nikola Zigic at the backpost. The 6’ 8” striker effortlessly knocked the ball down to Jovanovic in the six yard box, and the winger kept his composure to slot the ball past Neuer for the opener.
Germany were left stunned, reeling from the fact they were now both a man down and a goal down. However, before the half time whistle a thunderous shot from Sami Khedira cannoned off the crossbar following a goalmouth scramble.
It was a major let-off for Serbia, who couldn’t afford to take their one-man advantage for granted if they were to give themselves a genuine chance of escaping Group D.
After the break, Podolski was presented with two more glorious opportunities to bring Germany level. However, the 25-year-old fired wide twice in less than a minute, spurning two guilt-edged chances to haul the Germans back into the match.
The worst was still yet to come, though. An inexplicable handball from Nemanja Vidic resulted in Undiano pointing to the spot. Podolski stepped up confidently, but his poorly placed penalty was beaten away by Wigan goalkeeper Stojkovic.
The Serbian goalkeeper punched the air in jubilation; while Podolski was left to rue his shocking spot-kick – Germany’s first penalty miss in open play since the 1974 World Cup finals.
Full credit must go to the Germans for the way they never looked like giving up despite being reduced to 10 men; although they very nearly found themselves 2-0 down on two occasions in the second half.
First off, Jovanovic hit the left-hand post on the 66th minute, before Zigic also hit the woodwork seven minutes later, rising high to meet another good cross from the right boot of Krasic.
In the closing stages, the game became increasingly stretched with Serbia looking to inflict the killer blow; while Germany were desperate to score a late equaliser, and even sent on Mario Gomez for Holger Badstuber.
Joachim Low’s side continued to press for an equaliser right up until the final whistle, but for all their efforts Serbia stood firm and ended the match with three vital points safely in the bag.
The result leaves Group D wide open with everything to play for. Germany had looked invincible after their 4-0 demolition of Australia; but that all changed this afternoon in Port Elizabeth.
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