Dortmund, Germany – The game had ended long before and a thunderstorm was breaking out, yet die-hard German fans were still at the stadium, singing the chant now heard across the country.
“Berlin, Berlin, we are going to Berlin,” they sang, referring to the site of the July 9 World Cup final.
Germany is not there yet, and the final is still far away. But the host nation took a major step toward at least the second round by edging Poland 1-0 on Wednesday.
It took some doing.
Shot after shot was turned away by Poland’s goalkeeper and the crossbar. Germany kept firing and got the payoff just in time – injury time. Substitute Oliver Neuville scored on a sliding kick off a brilliant cross from another sub, David Odonkor.
“It was a bit lucky, but it was more than deserved,” Neuville said.
Odonkor broke free on the right wing and his perfect pass was booted home by Neuville. The German players mobbed Neuville as the crowd erupted in cheers.
“I can’t describe my feelings,” Odonkor said. “When I got the ball, I looked up and crossed, but I didn’t see whether a striker was there or not.”
The hosts, with a man advantage for the final 15 minutes, controlled the action only to be frustrated by Artur Boruc, who made a handful of spectacular saves.
Poland’s Radoslaw Sobolewski was sent off in the 75th minute with his second yellow card after tripping Germany striker Miroslav Klose. The Germans pressed, but Boruc was impenetrable.
So was the crossbar, which was hit by Klose with a header and Michael Ballack with a kick in the 90th minute.
Germany has six points and is on the verge of advancing in Group A. Poland, which has no points after losing 2-0 to Ecuador in its opener, must beat Costa Rica in its final game of the first round to have any chance of moving on. If Ecuador beats or ties Costa Rica today, the Poles are eliminated.
SPAIN 4, UKRAINE 0 at Leipzig: David Villa scored twice and Fernando Torres capped the romp with a sensational goal off a series of passes as Spain looked ready to cast off its reputation as a chronic underachiever while spoiling Ukraine’s World Cup debut.
“Let’s be fair. We had the good luck today that we don’t usually have,” Spain coach Luis Aragones said. “But all the players did what they were expected to.”
As famous for its international flops as the finesse and flair of its game, Spain appears on the right track this time, riding a 23-match unbeaten streak, all under Aragones.
“It’s painful to lose 4-0,” Ukraine coach Oleh Blokhin said. “I’ve never lost 4-0. The players did not respect the advice of their coaches. On some occasions, we were playing like the worst team in Europe.”
SAUDI ARABIA 2, TUNISIA 2 at Munich: Rahdi Jaidi’s powerful header in injury time gave Tunisia a tie in the only all-Arab match of the tournament.
“Our objective is to be able to go into the last match without having lost all hope, so that we still have something to fight for,” Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre said. “It’s a point won.”
Moments after entering the game, Sami al-Jaber gave the Saudis a 2-1 lead in the 84th when he finished off a 2-on-1 break.
Today’s games
Ecuador vs. Costa Rica, 7 a.m., ESPN2
England vs. Trinidad and
Tobago, 10 a.m., ESPN2
Sweden vs. Paraguay, 1 p.m., ESPN
