Germany have taken a 2-0 lead into half-time against Sweden in their first knockout match in the World Cup Finals in Münich, with two goals from Lukas Podolski, with Germany in complete control and Sweden down to 10-men.

Lukas Podolski scored the opener just 4 minutes into play after Miroslav Klose broke free on goal, but his shot was well charged down by Andreas Isaaksson in the Swedish goal, only for Podolski to leap on the loose ball and smash it past Isaksson.

Germany were well in command and doubled their lead in the 12th minute, with another goal from Podolski.

It came from a great bit of build-up play from the hosts, with Klose again making a break at goal and playing a square ball for Podolski to smash home.

Sweden just couldn’t find their feet, with Germany in complete command of the game and having shot after shot at the Swedish goal, with Isaaksson making some good blocks from both Klose and the Germany captain Michael Ballack.

The 6’5” Swedish keeper then denied Germany a third goal at the half-hour-mark, denying Klose with a great save.

During one of the very few Sweden breaks there was a blatant handball by Germany’s Christoph Metzelder in the penalty area, but it was missed by the referee completely.

Sweden’s woes were compounded when Teddy Lucic was sent-off for a second-yellow card in the 35th minute, but this seemed to spur them on to their best action of the game so far.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic tested the German keeper Jens Lehmann for the first-time after turning and shooting well, but the Arsenal keeper was at the near-post to block him well.

Germany went into half-time with a two-goal and one-man advantage, with the hosts also in complete control of the match, with Sweden’s defence floundering with the pressure, but beginning to find their feet in the match.

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