Nigeria: Music Review - Does Tonto Dikeh's New Song Sugar Rush Ft. D'Banj, Sounds Like Dorobucci?

 

Snippet of Tonto Dikeh's new song, featuring D'Banj titled 'Sugar Rush' which was released yesterday sets DB records on high mention on the social media especially for its beats which sounds very attractive with its perceptual auditory association to trending song, Dorobucci.
The 43 seconds snippet from Tonto, aka Poko lee and D'banj who now prefers to be addressed as the 'white lion' sounds playful and it is equally as catchy as Mavin's viral theme song, 'Dorobucci' when judged on beats, tunes.
However, the subject matter of Sugar Rush as a song dwells on love and that clearly differentiates it from the earlier said look alike and the song to a large extent will satisfy some of Dbanj's fans who are anticipating hearing him on a dance hall beat.
The intro from D'Banj is endearing and Tonto did well in her entrance, hitting her verse with the right keywords that best passes her messages to the listening public.
If completed well, the song with its high commercial qualities can possibly generate massive downloads, AirPlays and awareness for the newly signed Tonto in the Nigeria music industry.

Nigeria: Police Denies Escape of Eight Abducted Chibok Girls

 

 
The Police Command in Borno said on Wednesday that no new abducted student of Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok, had escaped from captivity.
There were speculations that eight of the abducted school girls escaped from their captors.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Lawan Tanko, told newsmen in Maiduguri that the story was not true.
"I want to state without fear of contradiction that I never confirmed the escape of eight of the abducted GGSS, Chibok girls.
"I do not even know the author of the story," he said.
Tanko advised journalists to always cross check their facts before going to press.
"The story has caused me some embarrassment because I never spoke to anybody on the issue.
"If truly, any of the girls had escaped, we will not hesitate in giving the media the information.
"It is sad that a journalist can just create a non-existing story and attribute same to me," he said.
NAN recalls that over 200 female students of the school were abducted on April 14 by suspected insurgents. (NAN)

Nigeria: World Cup - Why Victor Moses Was Kept On the Bench - Keshi

The Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has offered explanations on why Victor was confined to the bench in Nigeria's last two outings at the World Cup.
The Big Boss claimed there was no iota of truth in reports suggesting he had some personal issues with Victor Moses.
After not being listed as a starter for the Argentina game, Moses was reportedly angered and opted to sit in the stands instead of the bench with his colleagues.
However, according to a press statement from Eagles Media officer, Ben Alaiya, the Big Boss claimed there was no iota of truth in the rumoured in-fighting.
"It's purely medical. My last child is older than Moses, so why will I quarrel with my son? People must find out facts and not speculate especially when we have a capable media person in our midst," Keshi was quoted as saying.
The coach went on to add that Moses had a muscle strain that was discovered by the team's medics after the first game against Iran and he was advised to rest it so that he could come out better in subsequent games.
"We can understand that all players want to play at the big stage but it's up to us and the medical team to manage their career and balance it with due diligence regarding their health and that is why we have not played him. We hope he would be back in training later on Thursday," Keshi said.
Moses watched the Super Eagles match against Argentina from the stands with technical officials and was not dressed for the encounter. However, he looks ready to join the fray in the game against France more so as Babatunde Michael is out injured.

Queiroz : Iran Should Learn From W/Cup Experience

Queiroz : Iran Should Learn From W/Cup Experience

Departing Iran coach Carlos Queiroz told his team to learn from their 2014 FIFA World Cup experiences to enjoy success in the future.
Iran still had a chance of reaching the last 16 from Group F, only to suffer a 3-1 loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina in Salvador on Wednesday while the Super Eagles of Nigeria qualified for the Round of 16 despite a narrow 3-2 defeat to Argentina.
Queiroz, not offered a new deal, said Iran were capable of success at the showpiece event.
“The most important thing is to learn. If my players work and invest in the future, they have the same chances as any other national team in the world,” he said.
“There is a long way to go, but we must start working again ‘tomorrow’.”
Edin Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic and Avdija Vrsajevic scored as Bosnia secured their first ever World Cup win, while Reza Ghoochannejhad was on the scoresheet for Iran.
Queiroz lamented mistakes made by his team and their failure to take their opportunities.
“We tried our best. The players fought and left everything on the field, but the experience of the Bosnian players in our last group game prevailed,” he said.
“It’s a pity we didn’t take our chances and we made mistakes in our defensive line, ” the former Real Madrid coach said.
Iran drew goalless with the Nigerian national team and still had the possibility of reaching the knock out stages at the expense of the Nigerian side but failed to do so with the outcome of Wednesday’s games.

Arsene Wenger admits interest in Arturo Vidal amid Arsenal transfer talk

Arsene Wenger says he is a fan of Arturo Vidal (Picture: Getty)

Arsene Wenger has revealed his admiration for Arturo Vidal amid talk that he is set for a £44million transfer to Arsenal.
Vidal, who plays for Italian side Juventus, has been strongly linked with a transfer away from Serie A in recent weeks.
And recent reports suggest Arsenal are interested in luring him, with Wenger reportedly set to pay £44million for his signature.
The Gunners boss has refused to rule out the deal, and admitted he is a big fan of the player.

Wenger likes the look of exciting Vidal (Picture: Getty)

‘Vidal is one of the best midfielders in the world,’ he said.
‘He has everything. Incredible stamina, perfect timing. He’s a marathon athlete who plays football.’

World Cup: Ghana sacks stars Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince-Boateng

What's happening to Ghana's team?!

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Ghana has sacked two of its star players
• Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng suspended indefinitely
• Sackings come after row over appearance fees
• Ghana faces Portugal Thursday in final group game

How are you celebrating the World Cup? Join the global conversation on CNN Facebook Pulse

(CNN) -- Ghana's World Cup challenge is in danger of imploding after two of its star players were thrown out of their squad following allegations of physical and verbal attacks within the team's camp.

Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were both suspended indefinitely by the Ghana Football Association just a day after the players had finally settled a row over appearance fees.

Muntari, who plays his football with Italian side AC Milan, was accused of launching an "unprovoked physical attack" on Moses Armah -- a member of the GFA, in a statement on their website.

The incident, which took place on Tuesday according to the GFA, has led to Muntari's expulsion from the camp.

He is joined by Milan teammate Boateng, who the GFA says launched "vulgar verbal insults" at coach Kwesi Appiah during training this week.

"Boateng has since showed no remorse for his actions which has resulted in the decision," added the GFA statement.

Boateng told CNN's Chris Eldergill that he had been suspended, but dismissed reports of a fight with Muntari, who was not immediately available for comment.

In an interview with German magazine, Sport-Bild, Boateng says he "absolutely accepts" his punishment and blamed a training ground bust-up for his exclusion.

"Sulley Muntari and I were just joking around, and the coach stopped the session and sent us back to the changing room," said Boateng.

"Afterwards I went to him and asked what he had against me and he started yelling. He insulted me."

"No-one should think I insulted the coach. I'm traveling now, and I wish my colleagues all the best for the match against Portugal," added Boateng, referring to Ghana's final World Cup Group G match Thursday.

Ghana's campaign had already been blighted by controversy over the payment of appearance fees to players.

Following a standoff between players and the GFA, the nation's government was forced to fly $3 million in cash to Brazil to pay players their fees and fend off the prospect of a boycott.

According to coach Appiah, "the practice in Ghana has always been paying the money in cash" as many of the players don't have Ghanian bank accounts.

World Cup 2014: Ghana sends $3m cash to players in Brazil

Ghana's government has sent more than $3m (£1.8m) in cash by plane to Brazil to pay the appearance fees owed to the national team at the World Cup.

Deputy Sports Minister Joseph Yamin told Ghanaian radio station Citi FM the players "insisted" on cash payments.
He added: "The government had to mobilise the money and a chartered flight to Brazil."
Ghana must beat Portugal in their final Group G game on Thursday to have any chance of staying at the World Cup.
And even a win would not be enough to put Ghana through to the knockout phase if United States and Germany were to draw their match.
Earlier this week, there were rumours the Black Stars could boycott training ahead of the game if their demand for payment was not met.
As unrest grew in the Ghana camp, Ghana President John Dramani Mahama personally assured the players they would receive their money.
A statement from the Ghana Football Association said: "The government is pre-financing the payment of the Black Stars appearance fees, which will be reimbursed when Fifa's prize money for Ghana's participation in the World Cup is paid."

Also related to this story

• Today at the World Cup: Day 15 at a glance 25 Jun 2014 World Cup 2014
• Portugal 2 - 1 Ghana 26 Jun 2014 World Cup 2014

World Cup 2014: Nigeria boycott training in money row

27 June 2014 Last updated at 09:36 GMT

By Ian Hughes BBC Sport

The Nigeria squad at the World Cup have missed a scheduled training session in a row over bonus money.

BBC Sport understands the players believe they are each $15,000 (£8,800) short of what they were expecting for reaching the last 16 in Brazil.
They refused to train in Campinas on Thursday and officials later confirmed the session had been cancelled.
Nigeria are scheduled to play France in the knockout stages on Monday having finished as runners-up in Group F.
BBC Sport has learned the problem lies in the interpretation of the bonus structure, with the players believing they will only receive $10,000 for their win 1-0 over Bosnia-Hercegovina and $5,000 for the 0-0 draw with Iran.
The players' understanding was they would receive a $30,000 payment for qualifying from the group.
However, it is believed the Nigerian Football Federation's offer to the players includes the agreed win and draw bonuses plus 30% of the prize money due from Fifa for reaching the knockout stage.
This is understood to rise to 40% of the prize money from Fifa if Nigeria were to win their round of 16 match, 50% for a quarter-final victory, 60% for a win in the semi-final stage and 70% for lifting the trophy.
While all parties work to find a resolution to the misunderstanding, coach Stephen Keshi has insisted it will not affect the team's performance.
And it has been confirmed to the BBC that the players will travel to Brasilia on Friday as scheduled and will train in the evening and over the weekend.
It is not the first time the Super Eagles have made a stance over money - last year they arrived late for the Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Also related to this story

• Nigeria qualify for last 16 25 Jun 2014 World Cup 2014
• Ghana sends $3m cash to World Cup team 25 Jun 2014 World Cup 2014
• Cameroon finally arrive in Brazil 09 Jun 2014 World Cup 2014

Suarez banned for nine matches and four months over biting incident

Rio de Janeiro :Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was Thursday banned for four months by world body FIFA for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

FIFA announced the ruling following an investigation into the incident during Uruguay’s 1-0 victory over Italy Tuesday, a result that secured the south American side’s place in the World Cup round of 16.
Suarez has also been suspended for nine international matches, ruling him out for the rest of the World Cup, reports Xinhua.
“The player Luis Suarez is banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity for a period of four months in accordance with article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” FIFA said in a statement Thursday.
In addition, the 27-year-old was fined 100,000 Swiss francs ($112,000) and is prohibited from “entering the confines of any stadium” during the ban.
The decision came just a day after FIFA announced it had open disciplinary proceedings against the Liverpool forward.
“Such behavior cannot be tolerated on any football pitch, and in particular not at a FIFA World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field,” said Claudio Sulser, chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
“The disciplinary committee took into account all the factors of the case and the degree of Mr. Suarez’s guilt in accordance with the relevant provisions of the code. The decision comes into force as soon it is communicated.”
Suarez’s status as a repeat offender are understood to have played a significant part in the ruling. In 2010 he received a seven-match ban for biting PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal while playing for Ajax.
Last year, he was handed a 10-match sentence for the same offence against Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic while representing Liverpool.
The ban is a huge blow to Uruguay’s World Cup hopes as they prepare of Saturday’s round of 16 clash against Colombia.
Oscar Tabarez’s team advanced to the knockout stage after finishing second in Group D.
Suarez, who underwent keyhole knee surgery last month, returned for La Celeste’s second group match against England, scoring both goals in the team’s 2-1 victory in Sao Paulo.
Uruguay’s football association did not immediately comment on the ban.

• Germany top Group G, US sneak through too despite loss
• Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 but both eliminated from Group G
• Messi, Neymar top goal scorers with four each

Serena Williams, Sharapova into third round

IANS

June 27, 2014 08:59:49 IST

London : Five-time champion Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova advanced to the third round at the Wimbledon here Thursday after comfortable victories over their opponents.

Williams, the top seed, used just 49 minutes to defeat Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 6-1, 6-1 while No.5 seed Sharapova cruised past Timea Bacsinszky in exactly an hour, reports Xinhua.
On her first outing since a shock French Open exit to Garbine Muguruza, Williams impressed during a quick-fire win over Anna Tatishvili in the first round at the All England Club.
When facing her next opponent, Scheepers, the American was again in complete control throughout, breaking twice to take the first set. After that Williams never looked back.
“I’m always the favourite,” Williams acknowledged afterwards.
“It’s been that way for the last three years and maybe years before that. So it can create pressure. But it’s okay – I’d rather it was that way.”
“I’ve been coming here for over decade and the crowd is always great and it’s so great to see all my fans here. I love it!”
In the third round, Williams takes on Alize Cornet, who won a hard-fought battle with Petra Cetkovska at 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.
Cornet and Williams last met in Dubai, with the former producing one of the best performances of her career to triumph in straight sets.
Bacsinszky, Sharapova’s second round’s rival, has two top 10 wins under her belt, winning three Wimbledon qualifying matches and her first-round match in straight sets.
After opening the match with a hold, Sharapova broke Bacsinszky at love, one of three breaks she converted during a comfortable first set win.
The second set was more of the same, with Sharapova breaking to go up 3-1 and not losing another game in her 6-2, 6-1 victory.
Sharapova, who now has 40 Wimbledon match wins to her name, has surrendered just four games through two matches.
“The first couple of matches are really crucial in terms of working on so many things as a grass court player and trying to make that transition from clay as quickly as possible,” Sharapova said.
“The grass is quite different from the practice courts. Once you get out there, you try to focus a little bit more on executing better and not letting your focus go. That has been important in the last couple of matches.”

Saina in semis, Sindhu out of Australian Open

Get Latest News on : P.V. Sindhu, Saina Nehwal

IANS

June 27, 2014 17:18:27 IST

Sydney : While India’s Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal marched into the women’s singles semi-finals, compatriot P.V. Sindhu had to bite the dust as her campaign came to an end in the quarter-finals of the $750,000 Australian Badminton Open Super Series here Friday.

Sixth seed Saina needed only 47 minutes in the last-eight clash to oust Japan’s Eriko Hirose 21-18, 21-9 to level her career head-to-head to 4-all.
Saina started in dominating fashion by taking an 8-2 lead but Eriko came back strongly to level the match (12-all). The Indian, however, came out with her best to tilt the game in her favour.
The World No.8 totally dictated terms in the next game and needed only a few minutes before she won the encounter.
In the next match, the Hyderabadi will take on Chinese top seed Shixian Wang against whom she has a 4-3 lead. However, the Chinese World No.2 has been in excellent form this year and has also won the last two matches against the Indian.
Later, eighth-seed Sindhu was doing well in her match against Spain’s Carolina Marin by leading at the start. But from 16-13, it all went downhill for the World Championship bronze medallist. Carolina stamped her authority by taking initiative and won the next eight of the nine available points to bag the game.
The World No.10 tried fighting back in the second game but the Spanish girl made sure she maintained the lead throughout and extended it to win the match 21-17, 21-17 in 47 minutes at the States Sports Centre.
This was the second match between the two, the last one fought three years ago in Maldives when Sindhu won.

• Saina, Sindhu enter Round 2 of Australian Open

Get Latest News on : P.V. Sindhu, Saina Nehwal

Messi, Neymar top goal scorers with four each

Get Latest News on : FIFA World Cup

IANS

Rio de Janeiro : After scoring twice against Nigeria in their Group F match, Lionel Messi joined Brazilian Neymar as the leading scorers in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Both the star strikers have four goals each, followed by the Dutch duo Van Persie and Robben, Karim Benzema of France, German Thomas Muller, Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri, and Ecuador’s Enner Valencia.
The leading goal scorers after Wednesday’s matches are:
Messi (Argentina), Neymar (Brazil) – four goals each.
Robben, van Persie (both Netherlands), Benzema (France), Mueller (Germany), Rodriguez (Colombia), Shaqiri (Switzerland), Enner Valencia (Ecuador) – three goals each.
Mandzukic, Perisic (both Croatia), A. Ayew (Ghana), Bony (Cote d’Ivoire), Cahill (Australia), Dempsey (United States), Depay (Netherlands), Gervinho (Cote d’Ivoire), Martinez (Colombia), Musa (Nigeria), Suarez (Uruguay) – two goals each.

• Costa Rica hold England to goalless draw to top Group D
• Uruguay knock Italy out to progress to World Cup last-16

Group toppers Argentina, France avoid round-of-16 meeting

Get Latest News on : FIFA World Cup

Rio de Janeiro : Argentina and France reached the World Cup last 16 as Group F and Group E leaders respectively Wednesday to avoid a clash with each other in the knockout stage.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored twice, including a spectacular free kick from almost 30 yards out to help his team beat the African champions Nigeria 3-2 and win Group F, reports Xinhua.
“Messi is from another planet,” Nigeria’s head coach Stephen Keshi said after the match.
France drew with 10-man Ecuador in a tight game, but it was enough to for the European side to top Group E.
Manchester United midfielder Antonio Valencia was shown a red card only five minutes into the second half for a challenge against French defender Lucas Digne.
France had crushed Honduras 3-0, Switzerland 5-2, topping the group with six points and a six-goal advantage. Ecuador lost 2-1 to Switzerland but beat Honduras 2-1, sharing three points with Switzerland, but standing second with goal advantage.
Ecuador’s chances evaporated as Switzerland took the other berth by beating Honduras 3-0. Bayern Munich player Xherdan Shaqiri scored a hat-trick.
France will next face Nigeria and Argentina take on Switzerland in the round of 16.
Argentina collected nine points with a perfect record. Nigeria also advanced by finishing second with four points.
Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Iran 3-1 in the other Group F match, and both teams were eliminated.
It was the fourth straight time for Argentina to beat Nigeria on the World Cup stage. Messi, who had two goals out of just four shooting attempts, was named Man of the Match.
In the third minute, Angel di Maria’s cut in the left side of the box booked him a one-and-one encounter with Nigerian goalkeeper Enyeama. The shot hit the post, but Messi caught the ball on the rebound and thundered it into the net on a half volley.
A minute later, Nigeria tied the score. Ahmed Musa got the ball from Babatunde, cut into the Argentine penalty area and curled the ball into the net.
Messi then took Argentina ahead again with a freekick. The Barcelona star curled the ball into the right corner of the net before Nigerian keeper Enyeama had time to react.
The Argentina defence made a disastrous error in the 47th minute, when Musa receive the ball at the center of the Argentina penalty area. His side-footed shot went past Sergio Romero and Nigeria tied the score again.
Three minutes later, Rojo knelt the ball into the goal. It was the first international goal for the 24-year-old defender and Argentina led for the third time and subsequently winning the game.

• Messi, Neymar top goal scorers with four each
• Uruguay knock Italy out to progress to World Cup last-16

Srinivasan is ICC’s first chairman

Get Latest News on : N Srinivasan

IANS

Melbourne  :  Indian cricket board chief Narayanaswami Srinivasan, who has been suspended by India’s Supreme Court after being named in the IPL spot-fixing investigation, has been appointed the new chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Thursday.

His appointment was confirmed on the last day of the two-day ICC annual conference here and he described it as an honour.
Bangladesh’s Mustafa Kamal was also made the 11th president of the ICC.
Srinivasan is among 13 people named in the report of a court-conducted inquiry into spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Justice Mukul Mudgal headed tghe committee that inquired into corrupt practices in the sixth edition of the IPL last year.
Srinivasan has been suspended by the Indian Supreme Court as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and senior board vice-president Shivlal Yadav is looking after day-to-day cricket administration while India’s legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar was made in charge of the IPL.
Under constitutional changes approved earlier this year, Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards will head the new ICC executive committee while England’s Giles Clarke will chair the finance and commercial affairs committee.

• New ICC chairman Srinivasan vows to popularise cricket

Algeria into first knockout stage show after drawing Russia 1-1

Get Latest News on : FIFA World Cup

IANS

June 27, 2014 08:41:21 IST

Curitiba (Brazil), June 27 (IANS) For the first time in the 51-year history, Algeria has a chance to play the World Cup knockout stage.

With a 1-1 draw with Russia in Curitiba Thursday, Algeria collected four points in three group matches, enough for them to be listed second after Belgium to reach the last 16, reports Xinhua.
Despite a header from Russian forward Kokorin in the sixth minute, the “Fennec Foxes” came back through a strong header from Islam Slimani. His second-period score was enough to send the African side through to a meeting with Germany.
Slimani was elected as the “Man of the Match”.
Russia had a perfect start. In the sixth minute, Russia’s counter-attack saw a wide open Dmitry Kombarov. The defender curled a beautiful pass into the box. Alexander Kokorin received the ball and knocked it down with a powerful header.
Algeria began to fight back after the goal. Both Nabl Bentaleb and Yacine Brahimi got chances which could have leveled the score. Russia slowed down the rhythm, but the attacking Algeria left enough space for the Russian forwards and Kokorin kept trying for another score in the box.
Kokorin found another chance in the 19th minute. Shatov and Samedov managed to break the Algerian defense, and the later crossed the ball into the penalty area. Kokorin tried another header towards goal, but this one went wide.
The Algerians almost got one score in the 29th minute, when Islam Slimani’s strong header was rejected by Igor Akinfeev. Slimani challenged Akinfeev again in the 35th minute, but his effort wasn’t good enough to beat the 28-year-old goalkeeper.
Algeria control the field for the rest part of the first half, but neither Slimani’s header or Belkalem’s kick were able to get past Akinfeev.
Russia’s counter-attack remained effective in the second half. Kokorin missed another two chances to beat Mbolhi.
In the 60th minute, Algeria got a free-kicking chance. Akinfeev tried to reach the ball but he completely missed it. Slimani powered home a towering header at the far post, and leveled the score.
The last 20 minutes turned to a half-court attacking mode of Russia. A header from Aleksei Kozlov had threatened Mbolhi, but the shot went wide off the right post.
The final wistle saw great applauses and noises from the Algerian fans, and Russia had to head back home with two draws and one loss in Group H.

• Group toppers Argentina, France avoid round-of-16 meeting
• Costa Rica hold England to goalless draw to top Group D
• Uruguay knock Italy out to progress to World Cup last-16

Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 but both eliminated from Group G

Brasilia : Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 in their last group match of the World Cup here Thursday but both were eliminated from FIFA World Cup Group G as the United States, who lost to Germany 0-1 in the other match, finished second on goal difference.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of the World Cup finals with his winner coming in the 80th minute but it wasn’t enough to keep his team in the tournament, reports Xinhua.
Germany advanced to the last 16 as group leaders on seven points and the United States are second on four, ahead of Portugal (4) and Ghana (1).
Portugal took the lead in the 30th minute thanks to an own goal from John Boye, who turned a cross into his own net.
Asamoah Gyan equalised the score in the 57th minute before Ronaldo fired home the winner.

• Messi, Neymar top goal scorers with four each
• Costa Rica hold England to goalless draw to top Group D
• Uruguay knock Italy out to progress to World Cup last-16

Get Latest News on : FIFA World Cup

Germany top Group G, US sneak through too despite loss

Get Latest News on : FIFA World Cup

June 27, 2014 08:52:15 IST

Recife (Brazil) : A solitary goal from Thomas Muller helped Germany top FIFA World Cup Group G after a 1-0 win over the US, who also qualified for the last-16 despite the loss at the Arena Pernambuco here Thursday.

Muller’s 50th minute strike was his ninth World Cup goal in nine games. He also moved level with Lionel Messi and Neymar as the top scorers in Brazil with four goals each.
Germany topped Group G with seven points. The US qualified for the knockout stage thanks to their better goal difference to Portugal with both teams finishing on four points.
Ghana with one point ended the tournament without a win.
The US were left sweating when the match between Portugal and Ghana was tied 1-1. If Ghana had scored, they would have leapfrogged the US into second place but luckily for the Americans Portugal scored.
The Portuguese needed to score at least two more goals to better their goal difference after their humiliating 0-4 loss to Germany but failed to score anymore goals.
With both Germany and the US needing just a draw to progress, it was no surprise the attacking intent left a lot to be desired.
They were both content with the slow pace and most of the action being played out in the midfield.
Germany flirted with an opener on occasion but there really wasn’t any conviction and ruthlessness from them in the final reckoning.
Germany, who had scored 12 goals in their four previous meetings with the US, had majority of the possession but at the end of the half had little to show for it.
The US also did nothing from an attacking perspective. They were lazy in possession and gave the ball away too easily.
In the second half, the pace of the game changed a little bit with the Germans adopting a more attacking brand of football.
The US literally didn’t get the ball out of their own half for more than a few seconds for a long period after their changeover.
The breakthrough finally came via the boot of Muller and it was an excellently taken goal.
From Mesut Ozil’s corner, Per Mertesacker’s header drew a fine save off Tim Howard.
The Everton keeper did well to get the ball outside the box, but Muller was there to attack the rebound and the Bayern Munich forward expertly placed the ball to the bottom right corner to give his side the deserved lead.
Germany had a few more golden chances to double the lead but were wasteful in front of goal.
It turned into a real midfield scrap as the game entered its final leg.
The US, who were constantly looking over their shoulders as Portugal took a 2-1 lead against Ghana, found the going tough.

• Suarez banned for nine matches and four months over biting incident
• Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 but both eliminated from Group G
• Uruguay knock Italy out to progress to World Cup last-16