So England have done their bit and reached the last 16 - now our attention turns to who will face them on Sunday. Any two of Ghana, Germany, Serbia and Australia can qualify from Group D, and any of the first three are possible second round opponents for Don Fabio's men. This World Cup just got serious.

A reminder for those of you whose bosses were far too Ebeneezer Scrooge to let you watch/monitor the England game this afternoon - England beat Slovenia 1-0, but finished only second in Group C thanks to a last-gasp Landon Donovan winner that saw the United States top the group with victory over Algeria. England now face the winners of Group D on Sunday in Bloemfontain - and that means Ghana, Germany and Serbia. Tricky.

I'm Sam Lyon and I'll be your host for the climax of Group D proceedings this evening - but I don't want to do it alone, folks. You know the ways and means by now, but just in case - text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide), Tweet me @sampatricklyon or join in on 606. This is your moment of glory.

Ghana: 22-Richard Kingson; 4-John Pantsil, 8-Jonathan Mensah, 5-John Mensah, 2-Hans Sarpei; 6-Anthony Annan, 23-Kevin-Prince Boateng, 13-Dede Ayew, 12-Prince Tagoe; 21-Kwadwo Asamoah, 3-Asamoah Gyan.
Germany: 1-Manuel Neuer; 16-Philipp Lahm, 3-Arne Friedrich, 17-Per Mertesacker, 20-Jerome Boateng, 13-Thomas Mueller, 6-Sami Khedira, 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 10-Lukas Podolski, 8-Mesut Ozil, 19-Cacau.
Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil)

Australia: 1-Mark Schwarzer; 2-Lucas Neill, 6-Michael Beauchamp, 4-Tim Cahill, 9-Josh Kennedy, 8-Luke Wilkshire, 23-Mark Bresciano, 5-Jason Culina, 16-Carl Valeri, 7-Brett Emerton, 21-David Carney.
Serbia: 1-Vladimir Stojkovic; 6-Branislav Ivanovic, 5-Nemanja Vidic, 13-Aleksandar Lukovic, 17-Milos Krasic, 10-Dejan Stankovic, 16-Ivan Obradovic, 22-Zdravko Kuzmanovic, 18-Milos Ninkovic, 14-Milan Jovanovic, 15-Nikola Zigic.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay)

So, here are the Group D repercussions people. Ghana and Germany will advance if they draw and Serbia draw with Australia. If Germany, Ghana or Serbia win, they go through. Serbia will qualify with a draw if Germany beat Ghana by more than one goal or if Ghana wins. Australia need to beat Serbia and hope Ghana beat Germany OR win heavily and hope the other game ends in a draw. Simples. *cough*.

Germany manager Joachim Loew opts to use Brazil-born Cacau as a lone striker because Miroslav Klose is suspended. Jerome Boateng makes his World Cup debut at left-back in place of Holger Badstuber, which means the new Manchester City signing will line up against half-brother Kevin-Prince, who is named in Ghana's starting XI. Ghana boss Milovan Rajevac makes just one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Australia, recalling defender John Mensah, who has recovered from injury, in place of Lee Addy.

Australia boss Pim Verbeek recalls Tim Cahill, who returns from a one-match suspension, with the Everton midfielder set to play just behind striker Josh Kennedy, who replaces Brett Holman up front. Meanwhile, defender Michael Beauchamp makes his World Cup debut because veteran Craig Moore is suspended. Serbia manager Radomir Antic Antic has dropped left-back Aleksandar Kolarov, bringing in Ivan Obradovic while Aleksandar Lukovic replaces Neven Subotic at the heart of defence.

Stats you say? You want some stats? Impress your mates with these bad boys... Australia, on a run of five World Cup matches without a win, are looking to reach the knock-out phase for the second consecutive time after being knocked out by Italy in 2006. Serbia are looking to survive the group phase despite losing the first game - something Yugoslavia achied in 1962 and 1990.

And in the other game? Well Germany and Ghana have met just once before - the Germans running out 6-1 winners. Ghana, the only African nation to reach the knock-out phases in 2006, have been awarded four penalties in their six World Cup matches, scoring three. Germany, on the back of their first defeat in the World Cup group stages since 1986, are looking to become the first team to win the World Cup despite losing a group match since Argentina in 1978.

"Ghana is possibly Africa's last chance in the tournament and will be very motivated. It's not going to be a piece of cake, but we are confident that we have what it takes to beat Ghana."

"We are happy to be in this position. It also means it is an obligation for us if we have to advance to the next stage, but it does not add any pressure. But we have a real chance and there is a strong sense of belief in this team."

"This team has the drive to perform and the drive to go to the next round. We have a great team and a great spirit. The players put pressure on themselves because they are here to win and that is what we will do."

"We know that we have an opportunity of historical significance and we will try to do our best. I would not like to put any additional pressure on my boys by saying they have to, but when I say I believe in my team, I say it quite truthfully."

Right, national anthem time in Nelspruit and Johannesburg. Five minutes until kick-off. I wonder if the England boys are watching?

By the way, the coaches sound confident below don't they? Do you reckon they read these pre-match quotes off a colour-by-numbers scriptsheet? Love it.

Positive start from Ghana in Johannesburg, the African outfit showing few signs of sitting back and playing for the point they need to reach the last 16. Germany get the first decent shot on goal, though, Cacau stinging Richard Kingson's palms from wide on the right.

It's nice and open in Nelspruit, too, where Serbia's right-sided midfielder Milos Krasic is picking up where he left off against Germany last time out with a couple of threatening runs down the Australia left.

It is Milos Krasic with the first shot on target at Nelspruit, the Serbian midfielder forcing Mark Schwarzer into a smart save at his near post, the Australia keeper pushing a fierce effort round his post following a decent run by Krasic.

Germany happy to build patiently on the ball at Soccer City, and at the end of one such move Jonathan Mensah deflects a Lukas Podolski cross goalwards, forcing Ghana keeper Richard Kingson into a fabulous stop.

It's another chance for Serbia and another for Milos Krasic. Again it goes begging. The midfielder should do so much better after being sent clear by Milos Ninkovic, but having rounded the keeper he slaps his shot high, wide and not very handsome. Poor.

And moments later in Johannesburg and Ghana forge a fine opening of their own. Asamoah Gyan has the whole goal to aim at 16 yards out from a neat Kwadwo Asamoah cut-back but his effort is blocked when he should really have beaten the defender's outstretched leg.

Serbia definitely on top in Nelspruit, where Australia are hanging on a touch in the face of the eastern Europeans pace and power up front. Will a lack of cutting edge cost Radomir Antic's side though?

Hhmm - Tim Cahill goes down clutching his face after an Australia free-kick is launched into the box, and replays suggest Serbia defender Nemanja Vidic caught him rather flush in the face with a flailing arm. Not seen by the officials, though.

Germany captain Phillip Lahm bursts through the Ghanaian defence and has the unmarked Cacau screaming for a square pass into the box at the end of it, but the full-back dallies too long and the chance goes. Nice and open here, nice and open.

That is a ker-racking save, I tell you. Branislav Ivanovic bursts into the Australia area from deep, chests the ball down and slams goalwards from the angle, only for Mark Schwarzer to stick out a hand and somehow keep the ball out of his goal. Brilliant. Serbia continuing to press.

A chance at both ends at Soccer City. Asamoah Gyan's touch is too heavy as he bears down on goal and what looks like a clear opening for Ghana goes awry. Germany burst and Mesut Ozil is clear - but his shot one-on-one is saved by Richard Kingson. Frantic.

A goal has to be imminent, surely? Asamoah Gyan - again - has a chance, flicking a header goalwards from a corner but it is cleared off the line on the post by a Germany defender.

Half an hour gone in both games and a gentle reminder that if it stays as it is then Ghana will go through as winners (to face England) and Germany will edge out Serbia for second (and play USA). A goal in either game changes everything, though, and bearing in mind the chances that are being created...

Serbia's Birmingham new-boy Nikola Zigic should just have broken the deadlock in Nelspruit, but instead he has sent a header - unmarked and six yards out - wide from Branislav Ivanovic's cross. The profligacy continues.

Sami Khedira rises above the Ghana defence to meet Bastian Schweinsteiger's corner, but he can only send his header over. How are both these games still 0-0?

Bastian Schweinsteiger rips in a lovely free-kick for Germany and as it drifts inches over Per Mertesacker's head at the far post, Richard Kingson gets down well to push the ball away from goal.

Brett Emerton sends a whipped cross into the Serbia box but Australia frontman Joshua Kennedy cannot get anywhere near enough power on his header and the keeper has an easy save.

By the way, if you think the football is tense - spare a thought for John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon. The pair have been going at it for more than nine(!) hours and it is 53-53 in the fifth and final set. Seriously. Surely it's time for rock-paper-scissors and be done with it?

Back under way at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.

And also in the match in Nelspruit.

Germany are first among the chances in Johannesburg - if you can call it a chance - but Lukas Podolski skews his long-range effort into the crowd.

Asamoah Gyan releases Kwadwo Asamoah and the Ghanaian is one-on-one - he can't find the finish, though, and Germany keeper Manuel Neuer stays big to beat his shot away. Will Ghana live to regret these missed chances?

Talking of wasteful finishing... Serbia pick up the baton and it's Nikola Zigic again, the frontman taking a touch in the area before sending the ball into orbit over the Australia bar.

Half a chance for Cacau in the Ghana box from Mesut Ozil's cross, but the Brazilian-born Germany striker gets the ball caught in his feet and it is cleared. Both sides still very much giving it a go in Johannesburg. Will Ghana sit back on a draw at any stage I wonder?

Serbia keeper Vladimir Stojkovic is forced into action in Nelspruit as he beats Tim Cahill's shot past the post.

Ghana almost level immediately, but Prince Tagoe's header at the far post ricochets off Jerome Boateng's leg and behind for a corner.

Germany's goal means they now top the group as it stands (and are in line to face England), but Ghana still edge second spot (and a last 16 tie with USA) from Serbia on goals scored.

Drilled effort from Marco Bresciano, good save by Vladimir Stojkovic. More ambition being shown by Australia in this half.

Andre Ayew goes for goal on the edge of his area but his shot is well blocked by last German defender Phillip Lahm.

Serbia throwing numbers forward now and who can blame them. Zoran Tosic thinks he has a golden opportunity to level from Zdravko Kuzmanovic's cross, but Lucas Neill is across to force the ball behind.

Germany are still going through as winners and Ghana will beat Australia to second spot on goal difference. The Socceroos need a two-goal swing - or Ghana to score twice - to progress. Serbia's hopes are looking done and dusted.

Over at Soccer City in Johannesburg, and Ghana - for the first time - are looking decidedly like they've had the stuffing knocked out of them by that Mesut Ozil goal. In fact, if anyone looks like scoring the match's second goal, it's Germany...

Better from Ghana as Kevin-Prince Boateng and Andre Ayew link up around the Germany box before the latter's cross is half blocked. The ball falls to Anthony Annan, but the midfielder's long-ranger is held by Manuel Neuer in the Germany goal.

Striker Matthew Amoah is brought on for Ghana as they seek the equaliser that would guarantee them a place in the last 16 - remember if the Africans can equalise they, and not Germany, would be England's opponents in the last 16.

Germany will win the group and play England, Ghana will finish second and face USA. HOWEVER... another goal for Serbia would see them go through in second on goals scored. Unbelievably tight.

Serbia are convinced they should have a penalty when Nemanja Vidic's header strikes Tim Cahill's arm in the box - but the Australian had his back to the ball and can't possibly have meant it. Good decision.

Unbelievable. Marko Pantelic has a place in the last 16 within his grasp as Zoran Tosic lays him in in front of goal six yards out - but he spoons his effort over. Terrible miss, and that's Serbia's hopes of progressing done, surely.

Tonight's result, by the way, means that one of the United States, Uruguay, South Korea or Ghana are guaranteed to be semi-finalists. That's what it would have meant to England had they won the group. Ho hum.

Serbia, meanwhile, become only the second country after Algeria in 1982 to be knocked out in the Group Stage despite beating (West) Germany.

Tonight's two matches, by the way, yielded 70 shots on goal. I know. My fingertips are a bloody mess and my keyboard beaten down to a slim plastic shell. Still - what a couple of entertaining clashes. Keep it coming World Cup 2010, keep it coming.

Well I think you'll all agree that today has been - immense. England through, but pipped to top spot in Group C by the United States. Germany get the win they need to ensure they face Don Fabio's men in Bloemfontain on Sunday afternoon, with Ghana grateful to Australia for their passage into the second round despite a losing finale to the group stages. I don't know about you, but I need a good sit down.

So that's it from me, Sam Lyon, make sure you're back tomorrow for the conclusion to Group E - Paraguay v New Zealand and Slovakia v Italy - while I'll return to talk you through the late games again with Denmark v Japan and Cameroon v the Netherlands in Group F. If the drama at all resembles today's, it'll be more epic than a face-off on Court 18. See you then.