Former England midfielder Danny Murphy
Match of the Day analyst

"Ghana players are working hard to keep good shape and make it difficult for Germany to break them down. But Germany won't mind this because as the game goes on that becomes tiring and more difficult to do."

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Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's Ben Smith in Fortaleza

"Fascinating opening period to this game, Ghana very much in this. Around 12,000 Germans are inside the stadium and making themselves heard but they are vastly outnumbered by the Brazilians, who have taken Ghana to their hearts early on. Chants of 'Ghana, Ghana, Ghana' have rung around Estadio Castelao and the Africans have started really brightly.

"Germany have, historically, struggled in their second games of tournaments. At Euro 2008, and in the 2010 World Cup, Germany followed up opening-match wins with defeats in their next games. They have only won one second group game in a World Cup since 1994."

Brave defending from Ghana's John Boye as he slides in to prevent Thomas Muller from scoring his fourth goal of the World Cup. Mesut Ozil's low cross is inviting for the forward but Boye just about does enough to divert it wide. The ball comes off Muller last as well to give Ghana a goal kick.

Ozil is causing Ghana lost of problems on the right.

Image source, Epa

Another half-chance for Germany. Ghana are again sloppy in possession as Mesut Ozil breaks clear down the right. He pulls the ball back for Sami Khedira but the Real Madrid midfielder's low shot from the edge of the penalty area is easy for goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda.

Image source, Empics

Ghana are looking dangerous when they get down the flanks. This time, Marseille winger Andre Ayew has plenty of space on the left but his low cross is disappointing.

Ayew is the son of three-time African player of the year Abedi Pele - how he could have done with producing some of his magic then.

Former Tottenham and USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel
BBC Radio 5 live

"Because it's such a tight block from Ghana you will see Gotze making the pitch really big on the touchline and he will make runs from outside to in.

"The Ghana back four is holding a very high line which is dangerous if you don't put pressure on the ball with the precise passers of the ball Germany have."

Phillip Lahm's slide-rule pass almost puts Mesut Ozil in on goal but Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda, making his first start of the tournament, anticipates well and smothers. Ghana were sloppy in possession to give Germany the initial.

In the next attack, Toni Kroos's goalbound shot is blocked following a clever back heel from Thomas Muller. Germany slowly getting on top but Ghana at least throwing their bodies in the way. They aren't going to go out of this tournament without a fight.

Former England midfielder Danny Murphy
Match of the Day analyst

"Christian Atsu is the guy who was Ghana's best player in the opening 60 minutes or so in their last game. His final ball wasn't always great against the USA but that was a quality ball in towards Gyan. It was good defending from Per Mertesacker to stop Gyan getting his shot away cleanly. Atsu the danger again."

Former England striker Michael Owen:, external Neuer is the best cat in the world I reckon. Risky saying that prior to a game but he is awesome.

I'm sure the Germany keeper is feline fine after such high praise....

First chance of the match and it falls to Ghana. Christian Atsu races on to Sulley Muntari's hopeful long ball down the right and his cross is fired over the bar by Asamoah Gyan. The former Sunderland man should really do better from there, just eight yards out, but a warning for Germany.

Wale Ibraheem:, external I know Ghana is facing an uphill task in this match but this tournament has been full of surprises.

Keshav Ramphul:, external Muller could even break the world cup goal scoring record in this tournament if he gets a couple of goals today.

Tweet us on #bbcworldcup, text on 81111 or comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Half a break from Benedikt Howedes down Germany's left, but Ghana's defence recover well to get back to clear. The match has started at a slow pace and that is no surprise in the searing heat and humidity of Fortaleza.

Former Scotland defender Alan Hansen
Match of the Day analyst

"Ghana need a better start than against USA when they conceded in the first minute - it was a torrid start. They were susceptible from corner kicks as well, with Brooks scoring the USA's second goal with a header, and that's a warning sign because Mats Hummels scored for Germany against Portugal from a similar position.

"I feel that Ghana lack the pace that they had when the reached the last-eight four years ago. But they did play some neat nice intricate football at times against the Americans."

Germany start the match with a lot of the possession and that is something we could get used to for the next 90 minutes. Ghana look as though they will be happy to sit deep and look to counter quickly.

At least the Ghanaians have started better than they did in their opener against the United States.

Image source, Reuters

Germany have scored from 44% of their shots in the tournament so far - the most clinical mark in the competition ahead of Netherlands (33%).

Ominous for Ghana but the Germans have only won the second group game in a World Cup once since 1994. That win came against Portugal in 2006.

The match is under way as Ghana look to pull off one of the shock results of the World Cup. The tournament hasn't been great for African nations so far, with just one win from seven matches. Can that change tonight? Not if Germany have anything to do with it.

Former Tottenham and USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel
BBC Radio 5 live

"We used to try not to get into too many one versus one situations because the African teams always have players very good in those situations. You watch Atsu for Ghana tonight and he is fantastic at it.

"Then, as the game wore on we would try to get at them a little bit, let them get yellow cards, silly sending-offs and wait for that slip in discipline which does sometimes happen with African teams."

German FA on Twitter:, external Per Mertesacker earns his 100th cap today. These are his anniversary boots. We say congratulations!

Image source, @DFB_TEAM