World Cup soccer | Saturday’s matches

Germany 2, Ghana 2

FORTALEZA, BRAZIL

Miroslav Klose rescued a point for Germany, and tied the World Cup scoring record in the process. Germany needed Klose’s equalizer in the 71st minute to avoid another second-game letdown that has plagued the team in recent tournaments. Klose now has 15 World Cup goals in four tournaments, equaling the mark set by former Brazil star Ronaldo. He celebrated the goal with his trademark summersault. “It was complete, but I can’t remember the last time I did it,” said Klose, who scored less than two minutes after entering the game as a substitute. “Still, 15 goals in 20 matches, that’s not bad.” Just like in 2010, Germany won its opening game of the World Cup 4-0 but struggled in its second game. Four years ago, it was beaten 1-0 by Serbia, and the Germans were on the verge of losing again on Saturday. Mario Goetze had put Germany ahead in the 51st, but Ghana equalized three minutes later through Andre Ayew. Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan then put the Africans ahead in the 63rd, only to see Klose cancel out his goal.

Argentina 1, Iran 0

BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL

Lionel Messi finally found a way through Iran’s defensive wall with a superb goal in stoppage time to give Argentina a place in the knockout stages. Iran had defended solidly throughout the game and also took the match to Argentina in the second half, creating several chances to win the Group F match and cause a tournament sensation. But Iran was punished for those missed chances when Messi collected the ball about 20 yards out and curled a shot into the left hand corner. “In the first half, we had four or five clear chances to score a goal and in the second half, they complicated things for us with counterattacks,” Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said. “But having Messi resolved everything.” It was a moment of individual brilliance, and showed why Messi has been voted world player of the year no fewer than four times. Until that point, he had been kept quiet by Iran’s stoic defending, while Argentina had at times been exposed to counterattacks.

Nigeria 1, Bosnia-Herzegovina 0

CUIABA, BRAZIL

Peter Odemwingie’s first-half goal sealed Nigeria’s first victory in a World Cup match since 1998 and eliminated tournament newcomer Bosnia-Herzegovina. Odemwingie finished from close range in the 29th minute after one of a string of powerful runs by fellow striker Emmanuel Emenike. Bosnia faded after a bright start, during which star striker Edin Dzeko had a goal contentiously disallowed for offside.

Associated Press