Germany confirmed their position as Group G winners with a 1-0 win over USA, who also qualified on goal difference.
There were few chances in the first half with Germany just about on top, but in the second Thomas Muller scored a superb effort from the edge of the box to put his side in front.
From that point on the result was hardly in doubt, but both teams have booked their place in the last 16.
Read how the action unfolded below.
Hello all! So Group G culminates this afternoon and there is still all to play for in both games. Here Germany, top of the group on goal difference, take on second-placed USA, while in the other game Portugal and Ghana clash with both teams needing a win to stand a chance. Exciting.
Germany, then, need just a draw to top the group, and that result would also see the Americans through. However, wouldn't it just be Jurgen Klinsmann if he inspired his side to a win over his country and former team Germany? Form is important at this stage so you can be sure that neither team will want to settle for a point.
If there is a loser, however, they will then be nervously looking at the result of the other game between Ghana and Portugal. Should one of those two sides win big - and for Portugal it would need to be huge - then goal difference might come into play against the loser of this contest. It sounds complicated, but essentially Ghana and Portugal's fate is out of their own hands even if they win.
So without further ado, let's take a look at the two teams shall we? The team news is in for this oh-so intriguing clash.
USA XI: Howard; Johnson, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley; Jones, Bradley, Beckerman, Davis, Zusi; Dempsey
GERMANY XI: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes; Schweinsteiger, Lahm; Kroos, Ozil, Podolski; Muller
Interestingly there is no Alejandro Bedoya in Klinsmann's starting lineup, who has looked for certain to be one of their better players so far. It is fairly conservative from America, with Clint Dempsey in the lone forward role. As it happens, it's not so attacking from Germany either.
Low has named the same back five again, but has made changes in his midfield to perhaps try a slightly more direct approach. Thomas Muller is named as the striker, where I think he is less effective, while Bastian Schweinsteiger comes into the midfield for Sami Khedira alongside captain Philipp Lahm.
SUBSTITUTES:
USA: Yedlin, Brooks, Johannsson, Diskerud, Bedoya, Guzan, Green, Wondolowski, Cameron, Chandler, Rimando
Germany: Grosskreutz, Ginter, Khedira, Schurrle, Klose, Zieler, Draxler, Durm, Gotze, Mustafi, Weidenfeller, Kramer
Mario Gotze has also been rested by Low, with Lukas Podolski coming in on the left flank to make it three Arsenal players in the lineup. Expect him to hit the line and shoot at the near post, which is a different approach from the one that we have seen from Ozil down that flank in the last couple of games.
We will have updates from the other game in the group as well, with Portugal taking on Ghana. That game, remember, only comes into importance for either team should this match end in victory one way or the other, but they will need to make sure to get the job done.
That Muller stat a few minutes ago really is quite impressive. I said earlier that I'm not convinced by his talents as a striker, but he has the chance to prove me wrong today. His 83% shot accuracy has so far come from his unrivalled ability to drift into space from out wide - the sort of space that an out-and-out striker tends not to get. We shall see, however.
There has been much said of the talents of several of these American players, in particular Michael Bradley and Matt Besler have played well so far. But one who has gone about his business quietly has been Kyle Beckerman. With nearly 93% of his passes finding the target so far, he will be key if the USA are to create many chances.
Are you confused about the possible outcomes in this group? If you are, the New York Times has put together this fascinating graphic with pretty much every scoreline covered.
It is interesting to see Lahm retain his place in midfield again. He was impressive in the anchorman role for Bayern Munich last season, but had two of his weaker games for Germany alongside Sami Khedira. He's good there on his own or at full-back, but Low is persisting with him anyway - this time he partners Schweinsteiger.
PREDICTION: So how do I see this one going? Germany have a point to prove after their draw with Ghana last time out, but question marks remain over their defence. I don't think the USA have a strong enough attack to outscore Germany, so I'm going for a 2-1 win to the European side.
Here come the anthems, which can only mean one thing: almost time for kickoff. It's absolutely chucking it down here and a lot of people have not yet made it to the ground. As such, the atmosphere is a little stifled but it should pick up.
KICKOFF: Here we are then! USA, in white, get us underway for this final matchday of Group G.
Early attempt at the spectacular there from Muller. Boateng clips a good ball into the box, but the forward barely makes any contact with a flying volley. It falls to Podolski, who thrashes a right-footed effort over the bar from the edge of the box.
A lot of early possession here for the Germans, as you might expect. America are working hard off the ball to try to win it back, but they cannot get close at the moment. Schweinsteiger puts across a superb ball wide right for Boateng, but the first-time cross goes easily to Tim Howard.
The same pattern of Germany camping in the American half continues here, but they have not yet created a really decent chance. Schweinsteiger is popping up on the left quite often, with Podolski pushing up alongside Muller. A cross from the left from Podolski skids just past the boot of Muller and into the arms of Howard.
CHANCE! Huge chance there for Germany. From a cross from the right Howedes and Mertesacker get in each other's way and the chance has gone. Then as America break through Zusi he's hacked down by Howedes, who goes into the book, but the referee stops play to book the Germany player. The Americans are not happy as that was a chance!
Better from the USA in the last few minutes, as they keep hold of the ball in midfield. It's a little like the spell of possession that was mocked in The Simpsons, however, as they did not get anywhere with the ball despite the chorus of "Ole" cheering them on.
Germany just beginning to ramp up the pressure again, with several balls into the box, but the American defence is holding firm so far. Boateng is a lot more attacking on the right than Howedes and is currently involved in almost everything going forward. It's a tactical battle that no side is winning thus far.
Cynical then from Beckerman, who tugs down Schweinsteiger as the Germans broke. After a pass is overhit to Muller, however, the referee refused to book the USA man and he has got away with that.
Shot on target from Muller, but going away from goal his effort bobbles to Howard. That came after Hummels looked to have impeded Johnson, but nothing was given. This referee needs to be careful not to lose control of this one as players might start to think that they can get away with fouls.
CLOSE! Good effort there from Zusi! The Americans break with Bradley finally finding Zusi to his left, and the shot from the corner of the box swerves just over the bar. He didn't quite get enough whip on it, but Neuer looked beaten.
Falls and clashes look all the more nasty in these soaking wet conditions, and it is all adding to what has become an exciting end-to-end game. Even Low doesn't look as smooth as usual on the sidelines. Slick, certainly, with the rain pouring down. The opening goal really could go either way in this one.
Ouch! Jones, looking at the ball while making a diagonal run, clatters into the referee. The official is hard as nails, however, and stays upright while the USA man goes to ground. He caught his shoulder with his head. An update in the other game - it remains 0-0, although Cristiano Ronaldo had a header brilliantly saved to keep it that way.
UPDATE: Straight back to the other game, then, and Portugal have just taken the lead against Ghana. If either side was to win that, USA would prefer it to be that way around. John Boye sliced a cross into his own net.
CHANCE! Ozil should score there! He cuts into the box from the right and picks up the ball clean through, but drills his shot straight at the legs of Howard when he really should have hit the net. Germany back on top here with 10 minutes to play.
Bradley has played well so far in the middle for the US. He has broken up a couple of attacks and has been creative with his passing. Omar Gonzalez is booked for clattering Schweinsteiger. No complaints at all from the centre-back.
USA have the chance to put on some pressure with a corner, but it was far too deep even for Bradley at the back post. He makes a good run, but has to check and come back, with the ball going out of play from Zusi. It looks as though we will be goalless at the break.
The Americans are finishing the half strongly, but they just cannot get close enough to threaten Neuer. Mertesacker gets across well to win the ball from Davis and a few minutes later Bradley is lucky to escape a booking for a studs-up challenge on Muller.
HALF-TIME: USA 0-0 Germany
So we're finely poised in a sopping Recife and this one still could go either way, if any. It is far from vintage Germany and they have struggled even more than against Ghana. Their form is going the wrong way at the moment if they want to win the World Cup. A big half coming for them.
There have not been any real golden chances to speak of, except perhaps the Ozil low shot that was kept out by the legs of Howard. The American keeper has been excellent from crosses so far and the experiment of Podolski on the left from the start has not worked as yet. I wouldn't be surprised if he came off before long.
Klinsmann cannot have too many complaints from his side so far. They have been set up to remain compact and play on the break, which they have nearly scored from on a couple of occasions. Dempsey has not been involved a lot, but Bradley has been their best player in midfield and will need another good half.
As it stands the draw will put both these sides through to the next round, with Portugal's lead currently meaning nothing. With Portugal's lead, America would need to be hammered in this second half if they are not to qualify. The players are making their way back out now.
KICKOFF: Germany get us back away, but there has been a change. As I thought, Podolski is off. It's Miroslav Klose on for him, which means that Ozil will switch left and Muller right.
CHANCE! Great defending there from Gonzalez, as Boateng's cross is destined for the head of Klose, but the centre-back just got to it and it deflects over off the German striker.
Germany have taken control of the passing, just as they did in the first half. Still no efforts at goal as yet, with the US defending rigidly. They have done really well at the back so far.
CHANCE! ohh, Klose is so close to breaking the World Cup record there! USA try to play him offside, but he has jumped slightly too early and can only divert his header wide on the way back down. He already looks a threat.
Another crunching tackle from Bradley and he again escapes a card, this time on Lahm. Kroos steps over the free kick some 35 yards out. This is one for Klose to get on to.
GOAL! USA 0-1 Germany (Thomas Muller)
Oh that's a brilliant hit from Muller! Howard makes a fine save from a Mertesacker header from a corner, and it comes to Muller on the corner of the box and he guides a powerful, yet controlled effort into the bottom corner. Superb.
UPDATE: Asamoah Gyan has scored for Ghana to bring them level in the other game. That's bad news for USA, as another one for Ghana will see them go above them on goal difference. What an interesting last 30 minutes we have here.
Germany are playing confidently now, as the ball is played into the box by Ozil but it evades both Schweinsteiger and Klose. Schweinsteiger is clattered once more, this time by both Beckerman and Jones, with the former finally going into the book.
Excellent goalkeeping from Neuer there, as Jones tries to play Dempsey through the middle, but the keeper is some 40 yards out of his goal to sweep it up. There's definitely another goal or two in this one and possibly a red card as Beckerman again fouls, this time Klose.
Oh dear Dempsey! USA have the chance to break, with Jones to his left and Zusi bursting through the middle, but he poorly puts his pass out for a throw.
Germany have been by far the better team in this half, but while it remains 1-0 there is always a chance that USA can get back in this.
Dempsey is down holding his face here, but there didn't look to be much in the tackle from Hummels. It was full-blooded from both men, and they carry on.
Oh dear me! Jones clatters into Bedoya and both men are down in a heap here. Jones looks a lot worse and is still face down on the pitch. They didn't see each other so there was no warning as to what was to come.
GERMANY SUB: Off comes Schweinsteiger, who has played really well today. Mario Gotze is on for him - Low wants another goal, then.
Germany trying to slow it down with a bit of poessession football here. In the end Boateng tries to find Klose with a ball over the top, but the USA win it back and then get a throw. Plenty of time for them to get back into this.
Howedes gets the ball in the same position that Muller scored from, but succeeds only in passing it straight to Howard. They win a corner just after.
UPDATE: Another goal in the other game and it's Portugal who go back in front thanks to Ronaldo. The news is greeted by cheers from the USA fans here, because it now means Portugal must score a hatful or Germany if they are to go out.
USA SUB: Zusi makes way for DeAndre Yedlin, who has pace to burn. Can he inspire USA to a late equaliser?
Howedes is looking a little shaky up against Yedlin here. The new man finds Dempsey to his left, who then puts it behind Bedoya instead of into his path and the chance has gone. Dempsey has not been very good today.
Germany are now surrounding the Americans when not on the ball. Beasley thinks he's away, but Muller nips in front of him and then goes to ground very softly to the fury of Klinsmann. Off comes Ozil for Andre Schurrle.
We're into stoppage time, with four extra minutes to play. It is the same story in the other game, but only a three-goal swing will stop America going through now.
Patient, possession football now from Germany. I don't think the USA have to worry about another Germany goal now, although Klose will want to have his chance I'm sure.
WHAT A BLOCK! Brilliant from Lahm! The USA break brilliantly, with Bedoya played in and surely scoring, but Lahm has busted a gut to get back to make the block, superb defending!
FULL-TIME: USA 0-1 Germany
GERMANY WIN GROUP, USA THROUGH IN SECOND!
So there we have it, USA are through despite their defeat, while Germany are comfortably through as group winners. They will find their opponents after tonight's games. Thanks for joining me for this one, and we will be back with more World Cup action soon. Goodbye.
