Serbia stunned Germany 1-0 here on Friday in a pulsating World Cup tie marked by a cluster of yellow cards, Miroslav Klose’s sending off and Germany’s Lukas Podolski missing a second-half penalty.
Milan Jovanovic’s first half goal gave Serbia victory to throw Group D wide open with Radomir Antic’s side joining Germany and Ghana — who play pointless Australia on Saturday — with three points.
Germany striker Klose picked up the first booking of the game and then his fatal second, from Spanish referee Alberto Undiano, in the 37th minute for a tackle on Serbia captain Dejan Stankevic.
Less than a minute after he had left the pitch Serbia went ahead after a fine three-man move.
Milos Krasic sent a high ball in from the right post for Nikola Zigic, the tallest player at 6 feet 5 inches in the World Cup, to head down for Jovanovic to flick in past keeper Manuel Neuer.
The Standard Liege midfielder celebrated by jumping into the arms of a small band of ecstatic Serbian supporters in the stands.
A goal and a man down Germany had a mountain to climb to get back into the match but they almost grabbed a first half stoppage time equaliser when Sami Khedira’s shot hit the crossbar. — AFP