Serbia make Germany pay the penalty

Milan Jovanović scored the only goal moments after Miroslav Klose had been sent off to revive Serbia's FIFA World Cup hopes at Germany's expense in Port Elizabeth.

Jovanović struck in the 38th minute, 60 seconds after Klose had been shown a second yellow card in a match that produced nine bookings. Germany recovered well after the break but missed their best chance when Vladimir Stojković saved Lukas Podolski's 60th-minute penalty to blow Group D wide open.

Germany had produced the performance of the opening round of matches with their 4-0 rout of Australia, but they struggled to rediscover that fluency against a Serbia side desperate for points after kicking off with 1-0 loss to Ghana.

Neither side had managed a shot on target when the momentum swung Serbia's way with the dismissal of Klose for a second bookable offence in the 37th minute and they made the man advantage almost immediately. Miloš Krasić crossed for Nikola Žigić and the towering striker headed down to Jovanović who cushioned the ball before firing in.

Germany almost drew level when Sami Khedira hit the bar in the first minute of first-half added time and they raised the tempo after the restart. Stojković struggled to keep out Bastian Schweinsteiger's rasping shot then twice in quick succession Lukas Podolski fired wide after being picked out by Mesut Özil.

Germany's pressure looked to have earned its reward when Vidić handled in the area on the hour, but Stanković saved Podolski's penalty low to his left. At the other end Joachim Löw's side were beginning to leave themselves exposed and Jovanović hit the post and Žigić headed on to the bar after great work from Krasić.

Serbia, though, had already done enough, leaving them, Germany and Ghana level at the top of the group on three points ahead of the latter's match with Australia tomorrow. Germany meet Ghana next Wednesday when Australia play Serbia.