Germany, Ghana tied at 0-0 after 30 minutes of final World Cup Group D match

Germany, Ghana tied at 0-0 after 30 minutes

JOHANNESBURG — Germany had the better of the first 30 minutes against Ghana but it was still tied 0-0 in the teams’ final Group D match at the World Cup.

German playmaker Mesut Oezil had a clear shot in the 25th minute but goalkeeper Richard Kingson blocked it.

A minute later, Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan had a header from a corner cleared off the line by Philipp Lahm.

Kingson also saved from Cacau in the third, and pushed away a deflection by Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah off Lukas Podolski’s cross.

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