Today’s heroes:
Artur Boruc, Poland’s goalkeeper (L), the crossbar, and Oliver Neuville, German goalscorer (R)
This had to be one of the best matches in terms of entertainment. Germany had so many chances in the second half but Artur Boruc, Marin Baszczynski , and the crossbar kept alive, the Polish efforts to come out with a draw. Miroslav Klose’s header beat Boruc but ricocheted off the crossbar and on the rebound Ballack’s backheel bounced off the bar. Germany could have scored on at least 4 occasions.
Poland looked like it would be able to pull through with 10 men after Sobolewski was sent off getting his second yellow card in the 70th minute. But Oliver Neuville slid a nicely timed cross from David Odonkor past Boruc in stoppage time and Germany were through. It all started by Ballack’s feed to Odonkor from the midfield.
Poland has never beaten Germany in 85 years and their record is 0-15-4. So Germany is through to the second round from Group A and Poland most likely will be bystanders in this World Cup barring a meltdown by Ecuador or Costa Rica.
Germany again played attacking and entertaining soccer. Klinsmann’s decision to substitute Schweinsteiger with Oliver Neuville and Lukas Podolski with David Odonkor paid off. Odonkor was a legful down the right flank with his speed.