Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski all featured as Germany beat USA 1-0 on Thursday to finish top of Group G.

The Arsenal trio performed well in torrential conditions in Recife, with Mertesacker playing a key role in the only goal of the game.

It was his firm header in the 55th minute that was saved by Tim Howard, with the loose ball falling to Thomas Muller to stroke home.

Ozil was a threat going forward and came close to opening the scoring in the first half with a low shot that Howard did well to stop with his legs. The Arsenal playmaker was eventually replaced after 89 minutes.

Podolski was full of energy and running in the first half, but was taken off at the break and replaced by Miroslav Klose.

Germany will play Algeria in Porto Alegre on Monday.