Germany, Ghana level at 0-0 after 15 minutes of final World Cup Group D match

Germany, Ghana level at 0-0 after 15 minutes

JOHANNESBURG — Germany tried to attack early against Ghana but was still tied 0-0 after 15 minutes of the teams’ World Cup match in Group D.

German forward Cacau had a third-minute shot on target but goalkeeper Richard Kingson saved easily. Kingson also pushed the ball away for a corner when Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah directed a Lukas Podolski cross goalward.

Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan lost a shooting chance on poor control of Kevin-Prince Boateng’s pass in the seventh. Boateng’s halfbrother Jerome is playing for Germany.

Germany is trying to avoid its first group-stage elimination in World Cup history by winning this match, while Ghana carries Africa’s hopes to have one of its six teams advance to the second round.