Ghana Pulls Off a Stunner

Ghana delivered Africa’s first victory in this World Cup with style.

The Black Stars stunned the Czech Republic -- ranked second in the world -- 2-0 Saturday. A goal in the second minute gave them the lead and they peppered the Czech net the rest of the game before finally getting another goal.

Ghana’s win also helped the United States, which tied Italy, 1-1, later Saturday. The Italians lead Group E with four points, the Czechs and Ghana have three and the Americans one.

All four are alive to advance, depending on their games Thursday. The Americans play Ghana and the Italians face the Czechs.

Asamoah Gyan scored in the second minute off a piercing pass from captain Stephen Appiah. It all went Ghana’s way from there for the biggest upset in Germany so far.

“It’s fantastic. We showed we can do it,” Appiah said. “I thank the Ghanians for their massive support and the Germans, who were shouting ‘Ghana, Ghana.’

“I couldn’t believe it. I was nearly crying.”

Sulley Muntari put the game out of reach in the 82nd minute after goalkeeper Petr Cech made a handful of spectacular saves.

Czech Coach Karel Bruckner had hoped to have qualification sealed before facing Italy on Thursday, but was left to marvel at Saturday’s stunner.

“Our opponent showed extraordinary quality. We couldn’t cope,” Bruckner said.

Heavily outnumbered by Czech fans in the crowd, Ghana’s supporters roared with delight at every chance and danced in their seats in the 45,000-seat Cologne Stadium.

Gyan picked up a pass from Appiah and easily beat Cech from just inside the area only 68 seconds into the match. Muntari scored the second goal, sending a rocket of a shot into the upper right corner of the net.

Both goal scorers will miss the next match after picking up their second yellow cards of the first round.

Gyan missed a penalty kick in the 67th after Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi was sent off. He hit the right post moments after putting a shot into the net -- but before the referee blew his whistle to restart play.

Ujfalusi brought down striker Matthew Amoah to draw the penalty.

The Czechs were missing strikers Jan Koller and Milan Baros because of injuries, but it was the defense that broke down.

“Ghana played very well, starting with their early goal. We were forced to play an open game which served Ghana,” Bruckner said.

Vratislav Lokvenc, the lone striker for the Czech Republic, was quiet for most of the game and will be suspended in the third group match for getting his second yellow card.

“It was a good victory for the team, my country and Africa as a whole,” said midfielder Michael Essien, who plays for Chelsea in England.