Miroslav Klose scored his record equaling 15th World Cup goal in a 2-2 cliffhanger between Germany and Group G underdogs Ghana at Fortaleza.

The SS Lazio striker notched in the equaliser from close range in a fast pace game that saw all four goals being scored in the second half.

Mario Gotze opened scoring six minutes after the recess from a low header that bounced off his leg.

Dede Ayew pulled the goal back with a sublime header before Gyan scored his fifth World Cup goal in what appeared to be the match winner. But Germany and Klose had other ideas.

After a disappointing defeat to US in their opener, Ghana badly needed a win to keep their qualification hopes in their own hands and turned out with a fine display against one of the World Cup favorites who pummeled Portugal 4-0.

And it was the Stars' skipper who had the opportunity to open Ghana's account in the 6th minute but his strike from close range towered above the goal post.

The Germans were not in a hurry to attack but looked dangerous anytime they came forward. Ozil breached the Ghana defence with a great pass but Fatau Dauda who made a surprise entry in place of Kwarasey came out with a brave save.

In the 13th minute Christian Atsu forced a superb save from Neuer with a great strike from 25 yards which was parried to safety. The Bayern Munich goal keeper was called to duty again with a similar strike from Sulley Muntari and he again proved equal to the task in the 31st minute.

Before then though it was the Ghana goal area that bubbled with action as John Boye on two seperate occasions dug deep to clear clever crosses from Ozil and Gotze. On both occasions, Muller was lurking to connect the final ball.

John Boye was later denied the opener in the final minutes of the first half when Neuer parried a corner to safety.

Back from recess, it was Mario Gotze who set Forteleza alight with his opener from a header in the 51st minute. The Ghanaians responded three minutes later with a superb header By Dede Ayew from an immaculate cross on the right by Harrison Afful.

Ghana lifted up their game, pounding the goal area of the Germans but failed to make good use of the set pieces with two successive freekicks which were wasted.

In the 63rd minute Ghana's captain Asamoah Gyan latched onto an inch-perfect Sulley Muntari pass before unleashing a great shot with the inside of his foot leaving an outstretched  Neuer beaten.

The Ghanaians had yet another opportunity to seal victory but substitute Jordan Ayew chose the wrong option when he decided to go for glory.

He had beaten two German markers and was only to place the ball on the path of Gyan who was facing Neuer, but Jordan decided to do it alone, beating his marker before firing a low weak shot which was saved.

The Africans would rue that opportunity and it was substitute Miroslav Klose who made it count in the 71st minute when he connected a sliding header by Hummels just at goal line.

Both countries had the opportunties to win the game after creating decent chances but great piece of defending on both sides meant Ghana Germany will share the spoils.

The results mean Portugal will now have to beat US in tomorrow's Group G second game before the Black Stars can nurse any realistic hope of qualifying.

 

The following is the minute by minute action.

2053 Its game over!!!!!!!!!!!!

2050 The Germans have a free kick at quite an advantageous zone. Taken and well defended by Boye.

2043 Germany searching for a win but Kwadwo Asamoah's great defensive play save the Ghanaian blushes.

2041 Gyan beats his man in a great counter attacking play but his cross to Jordan is adjudged as offside. Great skill by Gyan.

2040 Dede Ayew makes an incursion but his final touch well handled by Neuer.

2035 Wakasu tries an audacious strike from 35 yards which ricochets the body for a Ghana corner. Taken deep but in the end the Germans defends it well.

2035 Agyemang Badu comes in for Rabiu Mohammed

2031 Germany win another corner but this time well defended.

2028 Miroslav Klose gets the equaliser after notching in from close range. It is a corner which the Germans executes to perfection.

2026 Schweinterihger comes in for Khedira.

2024 Ghana has the opportunity to seal victory but Jordan Ayew after a great run on the left decides to be selfish. he goes for goal when his better option is Gyan.

2021 Ghana take the lead and its captain Asamoah Gyan who lead by example. Great Goal. Great African goal. and its game on.

2015 Ghana turn the heat on the Germans with two free-kicks from quite an advantageous position.

2012 Ghana respond in spectacular fashion and it is Dede Ayew who gets the equaliser for the Ghanaians. Goal!!!!!!!!!!!

2009 Gotze opens the scoring with a header. Goal!!!!!!!!! The Germans are up.

2003 The Ghanaians get the half underway.

2002 Jerome Boateng out Mustafi in for the Germans.

Its Half time now. Great first half by both teams. Lots of chances created but the scores still remains barren.

1945 Ghana have an opportunity to open the scoring but a great piece of goal keeping by Neuer denied the Africans the opener. The Goalie parried a corner which was destined to be headed by Boye. Jonathan Mensah's strike from the rebound too feeble to beat Neuer.

1935 The Germans win another corner after a great piece of defending by Boye. Corner taken and well defended by the Ghanaians.

1931 Ghana turn the momentum on the Germans with a bullet of a shot from the Sulley Muntari with Neuer pulling off a great diving save.

1929 The Germans break on the right after a little mistake by Kwadwo Asamoah on the left but Gotze's cross is well dealt with by Boye for corner.

1920 Germans should have opened scoring after Ozil teed off Muller but a great interception by Boye scuttles the German attack. Great piece of defending by Boye.

1913 Christian Atsu makes a great run on the right and caps with a superb strike which forces an equally great save from Nueur. The Stars again ask another question of the German defence with a great cross on the left by Dede but a timely clearance saves a sticky situation for the Germans.

1910 Germans make an early incursion with a pass from Ozil to Gotze but Dauda makes a great brave save.

19:00 It is the Germans who would get the game underway. Not too much in the hurry as they keep the ball in their own half for well over 30 seconds.

1906 Gyan with the first opportunity after a great pass from Atsu but the Al Ain striker touch is way too heavy. The best opportunity so far in the game.

Ghana face Germany in a must win game at the at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. There is no love lost between the two sides, having already met on two occasions with the Germans beating the Africans on both ocassion. The Stars need a result badly in a game that has been dubbed a do or die affair. Myjoyonline will give up to the minute details on the match being played Estádio Governador Plácido Aderaldo Castelo, Fortaleza.