Klose, 36, pulled level with Ronaldo when he scored in the 71st minute in Fortaleza. The veteran forward also overtook legendary striker Gerd Muller as the leading goalscorer for Germany in World Cups. Less than a fortnight after celebrating his 36th birthday, Miroslav Klose reached an altogether more lasting milestone when he stole home at the back post to steer home a near-post flick from a corner kick.
By levelling Germany’s second World Cup group stage match with Ghana at 2-2, the venerable striker struck his 15th all-time goal in the final stages of football’s blue ribbon tournament and hence equalled the record, set by Brazil’s Ronaldo.
It was the kind of scrappy goal that Klose has made a career from. When those around him were caught flat-footed, the Poland-born striker was alive in the six-yard box to convert what was the simplest of chances.
It was a goal of pure instinct; pure Klose.
