Abhishek Mehrotra rates the players in the Group D game between Germany and Ghana on Wednesday.
Germany
Manuel Neuer - 6.5
Denied Asamoah Gyan with a superb block and was commanding in the penalty area.
Philipp Lahm - 7.5
Made a couple of heroic interceptions when his keeper was completely exposed. Switched from defence to attack on the flanks effortlessly.
Per Mertesacker - 4
Lost the the ball too often when trying to bring it out. Got the Germans into a fair bit of other. Surprinsingly unsteady performance.
Arne Friedrich - 7
Competed with Lahm about who could make the more crucial and stunning blocks. Made up for Mertesacker's slackness.
Jerome Boateng - 5.5
Did not enjoy a great understanding with Podolski and between the two of them - the duo gave away the ball frequently. Was excellent at the back though and kept Prince Tagoe out of the game.
Sami Khedira - 6
Decided to keep back and allow Oezil to link up midfield with attack. A couple of delicious through balls highlighted his talent.
Bastian Schweinsteiger - 6
Shone in a defensive role and broke up danerous Ghanian attacks. Never really in the mix of things going forward though.
Thomas Muller - 5.5
Had a very quiet game and could not provide his striker with quality service. To be fair, Ghana kept very close tabs on him.
Mesut Ozil - 8
What a stunning strike. One of the best in this World Cup. Was a threat all night long but wasted a few opportunities before unleashing a corker.
Lukas Podolski - 4
Was quite disappointing. Failed to provide Germany with the much needed verve on the right. His play off the ball was quite poor as well.
Cacau - 6.5
This may be blasphemy - but he looked better than Miroslav Klose did in the game against Serbia. Was willing to drop deep, hold the ball and play in teammates moving forward. Top class work-rate but looked a little rusty in front of goal.
Subs
Piotr Trochowski - 6
Did a much better job than Mueller - although it must be said he spent most of his defending.
Marcell Jansen - n.a
Toni Kroos - n.a
Ghana
Richard Kingson - 7.5
Was in splendid form after his fumbles in the previous game. Denied the Germans time and again. It was only a spectacular strike by Oezil that finally beat him.
John Pantsil - 6.5
Made some good runs on the right but was let down by Prine Tagoe up front.
John Mensah - 6
Steady performance. Kept Cacau quiet and closed down the German forwards very quickly.
Jonathan Mensah - 6.5
Kept Lukas Podolski on a tight leash throughout the game. The German tried cutting inside or moving to the byline - but Mensah was up to the task.
Hans Sarpei - 6
Did a very good job of keeping the dangerous Thomas Mueller quiet on the left. Played some lovely one-twos with Ayew up front and provided decent service on the flanks.
Kevin Prince Boateng - 4
Had a poor game for his adopted country against his home country. Lahm especially skipped past as if Boateng wasn't there.
Anthony Annan - 5.5
Protected his backline well and helped Ghana keep up with the Germans in midfield. Was instrumental in keeping Oezil quiet in the first half.
Kwadwo Asamoah - 6.5
Played just behind the Gyan and lent him good support. His movement on the edge of the box was excellent and he gave the German defence numerous headaches.
Prince Tagoe - 3.5
Had a very poor game indeed. Never looked comfortable on the ball and let his team down with some pathetic control.
Dede Ayew - 7
Was the most energetic and dangerous of the Ghanian forwards. Was denied only by some stunning work from the German goalkeeper.
Asamoah Gyan - 6.5
Showed good awareness in the opposition penalty area and set up Ayew with some superb lay-offs.
Subs
Sully Muntari - 5
Came on with a big reputation but did not do anything to enhance it.
Dominic Adiyiah - n.a
Matthew Amoah - n.a