This most entertaining of recent World Cups has featured a superb display by Spain and the six-goal masterclass of Argentina, yet the total domination of the Czech Republic, the second-ranked team in the world, by Ghana may just have been the match so far of this scintillating tournament.
The Africans hit a post with a penalty, had another goal disallowed for offside and will spend a long time recounting to their grandchildren how they had Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky and Karel Poborsky begging for what was close to a humiliation to end as quickly as possible. The result gives Ghana a good chance of claiming second place in Group E with victory against the United States on Thursday, which would probably set up a last-16 match with Brazil.
The Czech Republic, a couple of shades below majestic in their 3-0 victory against the United States on Monday, conceded the quickest goal of the tournament. Within 40 seconds Sulley Muntari won a corner down the left. Despite merciless boos from the Czech fans gathered next to him, the Udinese midfielder delivered a difficult ball. Petr Cech had no help from his defence and was forced to punch away. When possession came to Stephen Appiah, the Ghana captain expertly found Asamoah Gyan. Again there was time and space. And now the 20-year-old finished comfortably with a left-foot shot beyond Cech.
After this tempest came a half of storm. It resembled the closing minutes of a cup game rather than the opening to the second match of the group stages. Although midfield was fiercely contested, with Michael Essien and Otto Addo receiving bookings for Ghana, there was still ample space for each side to create. This was because Ghana, through Muntari and Appiah, and Nedved, Rosicky and Poborsky for the Republic were alive to any opportunity for the quick break. Both sides, though, struggled to finish off moves, with snatched shots from Poborsky and Appiah, among others, indicative or a lack of composure.
Ghana probably created the best of the chances. By attacking down the flanks or employing a cultured punt, both with the telling ingredient of pace, they ensured the opposition could not relax. By half time they should have scored at least two more. First Matthew Amoah got in behind the defence before swivelling and spooning disappointingly wide. Then Gyan went unchallenged beyond the rearguard and will be upset he could only shoot straight at Cech. There were chances for the opposition to level, especially when Rosicky shot wide from in front of goal. And within a minute of the restart Nedved wheeled away to celebrate an equaliser, only for it to be flagged offside.
This was the precursor for more and more action, but mostly from Ghana, with a terrified Czech rearguard attempting to defend without the aid of their midfield. Nedved's effort was followed by a low volleyed clearance from Ghana keeper Richard Kingston that found the omnipresent, until substituted, Gyan in the other half. His pace and directness had the defence once more backing off before his shot was saved well by Cech With the players enjoying the cool conditions, the match entered an even more compelling phase just after the hour.
Amoah was one of the chief terrorisers of David Rozenhal and Tomas Ujfalusi in the Czechs' central defence. It was the Fiorentina defender's misfortune to find himself the one up against the No 14 after 64 minutes. He brought the Borussia Dortmund striker down inside the area, conceding a penalty before minor farce ensued. It appeared a genuine mistake, but Gyan, the penalty taker, decided to take it, successfully as it turned out, while Ujfalusi was being shown his red card by Horacio Elizondo. Out came the yellow card, the spot kick was retaken and this time it hit a post.
The match then became, if possible, just a little more elevated through a sublime goal by Muntari, the result of short, neat passing. Appiah fed Gyan, who returned the ball and then received it again for the final time. By now the ball had made a regal passage into the area, with the Czechs seemingly transfixed. This time Gyan passed to Muntari. His finish was as emphatic as the Ghana performance. As was his knock-kneed celebration.
There was still time for Ghana to continue their utter dominance. The space, if anything, had grown due to the Czechs having to chase the game. But in truth, all they were really attempting to catch was the latest Ghana attack. Substitute Razak Pimpong was clear through and may have shot. But he decided to pass to Muntari. The No 11 had strayed into an offside position, though, just before he finished. He celebrated, unaware of the flag, for a moment, but his disappointment did not matter. In added time Kingston made a great save from Jan Polak. But then the referee blew and on came the Ghana bench to celebrate the first victory of a World Cup debutant team at these finals.
Man of the Match - Asamoah Gyan
In a classic World Cup game, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah and Matthew Amoah were worthy of mentions. But Gyan, the striker quaintly numbered 3, was the main source of trouble for the backpedalling Czechs. He had pace, stamina and quickness of thought to spare.
