It was the Germans who had the game's first chance as Thomas Muller laid the ball off to Lukas Podolski in the box, however he skied his effort over the crossbar.
Muller appeared the most threatening in the opening exchanges and he almost made the USA pay with an effort from distance, leaving Tim Howard to get down well to his bottom right corner.
With the USA holding a resolute line, Germany were forced to take shots from distance, this time as Toni Kroos tested Howard with a teasing effort from outside the box, however the keeper saved well, leaving the sides to go into the break on level terms.
The USA were dealt a major blow after half time when Muller put Germany ahead, with the striker bagging a neat finish into the bottom corner.
Clint Dempsey showed good movement in the final 15 minutes as he looked to get onto the end of a teasing through ball, though Manuel Neuer did well to come off his line and collect.
In the end the loss was not to matter to the Americans, as Ghana failed to beat Portugal, meaning that the USA were able to hold on to second spot and gain progression into the next round.
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