Miroslav Klose has
become the top
goalscorer in
World Cup history
after scoring in
Germany's semi-final against Brazil
on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old struck in the first
half against the host nation,
tapping home from point-blank
range after Julio Cesar had denied
him at the first attempt.
Since his last World Cup in 2006,
Ronaldo's record tally of 15 goals
in the competition had remained
untouched, but Klose has now
surpassed that tally at last in his
fourth tournament.
The Lazio striker netted five goals
at the 2002 World Cup, five times
four years later, four in 2010 and
now twice during this summer's
showpiece.
Ronaldo amassed his strikes
across three tournaments, in
1998, 2002 and 2006 - and lifted
the famous trophy once along the
way, 12 years ago this summer.
Klose, 36, started the tournament
level on goals with compatriot,
Gerd Muller, who starred in the
1970 and 1974 tournaments and
boasts an incredible ratio of 1.08
goals per World Cup games.
Klose, who was born in Poland,
made his Germany debut as a
substitute on March 24, 2011 and
marked the occasion with a goal.
He struck again against Greece
just four days later - despite being
afforded just 33 minutes over the
course of his first two
international outings - and the
goals just never stopped coming,
particularly in major tournaments.