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Germany snatch late goal to deny Wales deserved draw

15/10/2008

Germany scored a late goal to break Wales' defiant defensive effort and win their World Cup qualifier 1-0 in Monchengladbach.

Piotr Trochowski scored when a short corner allowed him to work his way into the Welsh penalty area. He unleashed a fearsome shot from a tight angle to give the Germans all three points.

Just as John Toshack's men had matched Russia for so long during their away trip to Moscow they also showed they could give Joachim Low's team a good game.

James Collins was the hero for Wales as he did his best to avert seemingly every chance Germany created.

The West Ham United defender threw himself in front of Michael Ballack to stop him from getting a shot on goal before intercepting Lucas Podolski's dangerous cut-back which was intended for Miroslav Klose.

Bastien Schweinsteiger then sent in another shot which evaded the gloves of Wayne Hennessey in the Wales goal but luckily for Wales only clipped the top of the crossbar.

Germany were edging closer and closer to a breakthrough and after the break they continued to pressurise the Welsh goal.

Collins was again called in to service, this time blocking Trochowski's goal-bound effort before the midfielder missed another chance, kicking thin air with the goal at his mercy.

Although most of the game was being played in Welsh territory they were able to mount a few counter-attacks, with Craig Bellamy forceing a good save from Rene Adler.

Germany continued to press forward and were sending in shots from all angles before they finally broke through from a corner routine.

Trochowski made up for his earlier errors by ghosting in at the front post. He was able to get past David Edwards before smashing the ball past Hennessey.

Ballack nearly doubled the lead two minutes later but his free-kick came back off the woodwork.

The win leaves Germany top of pool four with Russia second following their 3-0 win against Finland. Wales are level with Russia on six points but have played one game more.