Germany's forward Miroslav Klose celebrates after scoring during a Group G match against Ghana at the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Miroslav Klose hit a World Cup record-equaling 15th goal as Germany fought back to claim a 2-2 draw with Ghana on Saturday.

In other matches, a moment of individual brilliance from Argentina captain Lionel Messi steered his team into the last 16 in a victory over Iran, while Bosnia were knocked out after a controversial 1-0 loss to Nigeria.

Klose had only been on the pitch as a substitute­ for two minutes in Fortaleza when he jabbed home Germany's equalizer and joined Brazilian great Ronaldo on top of the all-time scoring charts.

The 36-year-old Lazio forward struck in the 71st minute of a thrilling Group G game at the Castelao Stadium after goals from Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan had fired Ghana into a 2-1 lead.

Mario Goetze had given Germany the lead, heading in off his own knee on 51 minutes after a goalless first half.

But Ghana struck back brilliantly, leveling through Ayew's 54th minute header before Asamoah fired the Black Stars into the lead.

The result left the Germans, who beat Portugal­ 4-0 in their opening match, on top of Group G with four points.

Ghana, beaten by the USA in their first game, have one point heading into their final match with Portugal next week.

Earlier, Messi scored a brilliant injury time winner as Argentina overcame Iran 1-0 to squeeze into the second round.

Four-time world Player of the Year Messi curled in a sublime shot from just outside the area in the first minute of stoppage time to break Iranian hearts in the Group F battle.

The Argentina captain had been largely anonymous for much of the match as Iran frustrated the South American giants at the Mineirao Stadium.

Iran might even have snatched victory only to be denied by Argentina keeper Sergio­ Romero, who pulled off fine second-half saves from England-based duo Ashkan Dejagah­ and Reza Ghoochannejad.

But with the clock ticking down, Messi picked up the ball on the edge of the area and after being granted time to pick his spot, curled in his second goal of the tournament.

The result leaves Argentina assured of a place in the last 16, joining Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Holland in the second round.

"We are not showing what we can do, but with a run of games I think we will get there," Messi said of Argentina's form.

"We are the first ones to know we have not reached the level we would like."

Iran's former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz was fuming, however, over Serbian referee Milorad Mazic's failure to award his side a penalty.

"Messi was fantastic, but the referee wasn't," Queiroz said.

"I don't understand it, he had to have seen it was a penalty. He was five meters away, there is no way he couldn't have seen it."

In the late Group F game in Cuiaba, Nigeria­ remained firmly in contention for a last 16th place following a 1-0 win over Bosnia­, which eliminated the Europeans.

Nigeria now need only a draw against Argentina on Wednesday to advance to the knockout rounds for the first time since 1998.

Bosnia were furious after two key decisions went against them in the opening 45 minutes.

First striker Edin Dzeko had a legitimate goal wrongly ruled offside.

Then, moments later, Nigeria scored through Peter Odemwingie.­

Bosnia's players claimed Nigeria's­ Emmanuel Emenike had fouled Bosnia­ captain­ Emir Spahic in the buildup, but the goal stood.

Bosnia coach Safet Susic said afterward his team had been robbed of a goal by New Zealand­ referee Peter O'Leary.

"I was told there was no offside but it's not the first or last time a referee has made a bad decision at this World Cup and it won't be the last," said the 59-year-old.

"We lost to a good side, Nigeria played better­ than against Iran."

 

Group F

 

Group G

 
Newspaper headline: German veteran striker becomes newest joint all-time leading scorer