Miroslav Klose’s somersault had not been seen much recently. At 36, the Germany striker likes to save it now for really special occasions.
That came in the 71st minute of the World Cup Group G game against Ghana on Saturday when he mopped up in front of goal for his 15th World Cup goal in all — drawing level with the record held alone until now by former Brazil striker Ronaldo.
The Lazio striker had only been on the pitch as a substitute for two minutes, but with Germany 2-1 down he was in the right place at the far post after a corner by Toni Kroos was headed on by Benedikt Hoewedes.
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If ever there was a goal, which deserved a Klose somersault this was it — the 15th World Cup goal preventing a major upset.
“I don’t know how long it is since I last did the somersault. It wasn’t quite right,” Klose said.
“Twenty (World Cup) matches, 15 goals — that’s really not bad, but now the important thing is that we play well against USA.”
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Bem-vindo ao clube
>#klose imagino a tua felicidade!!!! Que bela copa!!!
— Claro Ronaldo (@ClaroRonaldo)
>June 21, 2014Ronaldo, who scored his 15 at three editions 1998, 2002 and 2006, congratulated Klose via Twitter.
“Welcome to the club,” he said in Portuguese, English and German.
“I can imagine your joy. What a nice World Cup,” he added.
Klose’s first World Cup goals came with a hat-trick in his first World Cup match against Saudi Arabia in 2002, when he finished with five goals.
He added five more goals in 2006 in taking the Golden Boot trophy and scored four at South Africa 2010.
Now he joins compatriot Uwe Seeler and Brazil icon Pele to have scored at four World Cups.