Müller strike seals top spot for Germany

Thomas Müller's goal ensured Germany finished top of FIFA World Cup Group G with a 1-0 victory against a United States side that will join them in the round of 16.

A draw would have been sufficient for both teams to progress – with Germany heading the section – but neither appeared content to settle for a share of the spoils in Recife. The Mannschaft eventually cemented their position atop the group thanks to Müller's 55th-minute effort, with Jürgen Klinsmann's charges also qualifying on goal difference ahead of Portugal after both sides ended on four points.

Germany peppered the opposition area with crosses from the start, with Omar Gonzalez's wild clearance almost seeing one end in the net, while Per Mertesacker miskicked from another when handily placed, though the United States did offer a threat on the counterattack as Graham Zusi whipped an attempt just over.

The pressure from Joachim Löw's men intensified as Toni Kroos tested Tim Howard from distance and Mesut Özil forced the goalkeeper to parry – a wise decision given the torrential rain throughout the first half at the Arena Pernambuco.

The lack of goalmouth action did, however, perturb Löw and he reacted by introducing Miroslav Klose for Lukas Podolski at the interval. The World Cup finals' all-time joint leading goalscorer nearly delivered within seven minutes but just failed to direct a header from Bastian Schweinsteiger's cross on target.

The breakthrough did finally arrive when a Germany corner routine culminated in Mertesacker's header being repelled by Howard, only for Müller to return it with interest via a sweetly struck drive from the edge of the box for his fourth of the tournament.

That strike, and a last-gasp block from Philipp Lahm to deny Alejandro Bedoya, proved enough for Germany to complete the phase with seven points while the United States breathed a sigh of relief as Portugal's 2-1 success against Ghana confirmed their place in the next round.