Germany Cruises Past Cameroon; Australia Hangs Tough with Chile

         The last two spots for the semi-finals were on the line yesterday as Cameroon and Australia faced must-win games against Germany and Chile. The first game to recap is Germany-Cameroon. After both teams exchanged possession in the first 20 minutes, Germany slowly created chances. In the 21st minute, Emre Can had a 20-yard shot go just wide of the far post, and Joshua Kimmich had a header in the 24th from 6 yards out go wide of the far post. Cameroon had the best chance of the half on the last play when Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa first-time shot from point blank caused a quick reaction save from German keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
         Kerem Dirembay got his first goal with the German national team in the 48th when he found space just outside the box, and hit it top corner. In the 54th, Cameroon's Fabrice Ondoa made two fine saves on Joshua Kimmich and after Timo Werner's attempt. Soon afterward, Germany would soon dictate possession and control the game, with help of being up a man. In the 64th, Ernest Mabouka kicked Emre Can in the thigh to get a loose ball, and Mabouka got a straight red. Germany would make it 2-nil 2 minutes later when Kimmich sent in a cross that Werner headed into the ground to past Ondoa. Cameroon would get one back in the 78th when Vincent Aboubakar headed a goal from the front post past ter Stegen, but Germany sealed the win in the 81st when Werner shot it home from 6 yards out. Werner would attempt for a hat trick, but Ondoa made a fine save. Germany clinched first in the group and will face Mexico.

         With Cameroon out and Germany in, only one spot was left for Australia and Chile. Australia, needing a two-goal win to advance, relied on keeper Mathew Ryan to make fine saves, and he did in the first half. They got one goal in the 41st when Australia countered Chile and Robbie Kruse's blocked shot found James Troisi, who chipped Chilean keeper Claudio Bravo inside the box. Chile nearly equalized in the 44th when Arturo Vidal's header was deflected just wide of goal, but Australia missed a great chance to make it 2-0 in stoppage time when Troisi put the ball in the Chilean box that found Trent Salinsbury wide open. Chile looked for an offsides flag, but he wasn't, and Salinsbury's attempted shot went way over the bar.
       Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanches continued to spurn good shots on goal, but Ryan held firm and saved all of them. Chile would find their goal in the 67th when Vargas's header found Martin Rodriguez, whose shot got past Ryan. In the end, the 1-1 draw was earned after chances from both teams, and Chile will move on and play Portugal.

Troisi's beautiful chip over Bravo.