Ghana picked up a vital 2-2 draw with an impressive display against Germany in what was a wildly open second half. The surprising result was the latest in what has been an unpredictable World Cup. After Ghana's opening match defeat to the USA, it looked like they'd be heading out early against the group favorite. But while the result was a bit of a surprise, the Ghanaians actually match up quite well against Germany.

Ghana is a side that prefers drawing the opposition out then using their gifted and pacey midfielders to break quickly on the counter attack. Against the USA, the Americans sat extremely deep after their early goal and forced Ghana to break down their compact defense. Ghana never had the space to run in behind and play on the counter. The US had just 36% possession and while that looks like a good thing on paper for Ghana, it meant the US never moved enough players into advanced attacking areas to allow themselves to become exposed at the back. Ghana had to be patient in possession rather than playing their preferred direct, vertical game.

Germany on the hand were a very different opposition. They prefer to control the game, maintaining possession high up the pitch. This meant Ghana could get into an organized defensive shape (which they did only in the opening half), wait to win back possession and then break quickly behind the German midfield 3 of Lahm, Kroos and Khedira and the fullbacks Boateng and Howedes. Germany left themselves incredibly open and were made to pay with Ghana's pace on the break. Ghana had just 37% possession but were a much more threatening side than they'd been against the US. They were guilty of leaving themselves far too exposed in the final 10 minutes as fatigue crept in, and were rescue by poor German finishing and a heroic Kwadwo Assamoah tackle on Muller, but in attack this was Ghana at their pacey, direct best.

Portugal's heavy defeat at the hands of Germany (currently 3-0 as I type) will provide a massive advantage to the winner of Ghana vs. USA this evening. If there is a winner in that contest, that team will go 3 points clear of their two expected rivals for second with a large advantage in goal difference over Portugal. If the US manage to get a big result in Natal, it would mean that in all likelihood a point against Portugal would be enough to put the them into the knockout stage on 4 points. A draw with Portugal would put the US 3 points clear going into the final day with at least a 4 goal advantage (make that 5 as Muller has just added a 4th for Germany) on goal difference as things stand now. That would leave the US simply needing a close defeat to Germany to get through barring Portugal don't pick up a lopsided win over Ghana.

Knowing that a draw could be enough against Portugal would provide the US a big tactical advantage. They could maintain a compact defensive shape, forcing Portugal to open themselves up and attack, leaving space for the US on the break. Portugal are not a side that's comfortable playing proactively. They prefer to allow their opponents to control the game, then break quickly down the channels through Ronaldo and Nani. It's not a side littered with midfield creativity and they could therefore struggle when being forced to pick apart a crowded defense. Their three central midfielders in their 4-3-3 formation, Raul Meireles, Miguel Veloso and Joao Moutinho, all sit fairly deep in front of the back four and look to provide more defensive cover than attacking endeavor. Moutinho is a skilled passer but none of the three are creative #10 types that will link play with the center forward. While it may be a frightening thought for fans of US soccer to sit deep with an inexperienced back four, it may be a better option than opening themselves up and allowing Ronaldo the space to dribble forward on the break.

This discussion is of course irrelevant if the US fail to beat a very strong Ghana side but if they can somehow manage that feat they'll have a much better shot at progressing than anyone would have imagined when the groups were drawn.