Germany 0-1 Serbia - Match report

Most of the first half was little more than a stalemate as Serbia's back four, marshalled with authority by Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic, held firm against a wave of controlled, steady attacks from a patient Germany.
Neither side were able to produce a shooting chance inside the penalty area, although a knock-down from Miroslav Klose after 35 minutes almost found Mesut Ozil who for once had worked his way into some space.
That would prove to be Klose's last touch of the ball as, two minutes later, he was given a second yellow card for a trip from behind. It was a bookable offence and, although his first yellow for a similar offence was more debatable, Klose should have been experienced enough to know when to let some tackles go.
Germany, shocked and disorganised by that decision, were made to pay only one minute later. Milos Krasic drove down the right to the byline and stood up an excellent cross under pressure to find the giant Nikola Zigic at the back post where the new Birmingham City striker had the sense to see Milan Jovanovic unmarked in the centre, allowing the 29-year-old to apply a simple finish.
The Germans didn't have to wait long for a chance to equalise as Serbia failed to control the match despite an extra man. Vladimir Stojkovic was at fault as the keeper weakly punched away a corner to Sami Khedira who struck a fierce half-volley against the underside of the bar.
For most of the second half Germany didn't look much like a team with one man short, with Lukas Podolski on the left and Thomas Muller on the right finding space on regular occasions.
It was a run from the left that provided Germany with their best chance of the half, when a cross from that flank looked to be going harmlessly over everyone in the area before Vidic inexplicably raised his arm to stop the ball.
Podolski stepped up to take the spot-kick but his effort was a weak one, low to Stojkovic's left. Germany, for the first time in over 35 years, had missed a regular time penalty in a World Cup.
From then on the Germans dropped off the pace and Serbia grew in confidence, hitting the crossbar through Zigic and the post through Jovanovic but in the end they were more than happy to be on the right side of a 1-0 result.