Serbia upsets 10 man Germany

A barrage of yellow cards from the referee in the opening half greatly influenced the Germany - Serbia match at the 2010 World Cup.  German striker Miroslav Klose saw his second yellow in the 35th minute and was sent to the showers leaving Germany to play a man down for the final hour of play.

It took Serbia only a minute to take advantage of the shorthanded Germans when Milan Jovanovic volleyed home from close range to give Serbia the lead.  Germany was ripe for the upset, but credit to them as they fought back valiantly.  They regrouped at halftime and came out creating numerous chances that went unrewarded.  The scrambling Serbian defense deserves credit as well as they built a wall in front of goal that the Germans could not break down.

The chance of the day came in the 60th minute when Nemanja Vidic was whistled for a handball in the box as he jumped to try to cut off a German cross.  The result was a penalty kick and the golden chance for Germany to tie the match.  Instead, Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic guessed correctly and saved the spotkick from Lukas Podolski. 

It was just not to be the Germans day and Serbia took a historic victory.  It was Germany's first defeat since 1986 in the World Cup group stages and it leaves Germany with work to do headnig into their final game against a tough Ghana squad.  Ghana has a chance to take total control of Group D if they can take care of Australia tomorrow.