Asamoah Gyan coolly smashed home a spot kick to gift Ghana a 1-0 victory over 10-man Serbia at the World Cup Group D match on Sunday.

A Ghana cross into the Serbia area was handled by Zdravko Kuzmanovic at the 83rd minute. Gyan stepped up and sent Serbian keeper Vladimir Stojkovic the wrong way.

Rooted for by vuvuzela-blowing and flag-waving crowds in Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Gyan was all fired up. He struck at the goal two minutes into stoppage time, only to see his shot denied by the post.

Gyan was voted the Man of the Match.

Serbia was one man short at the 74th minute when Aleksandar Lukovic picked up a second yellow card after he stopped Gyan by grabbing his arm.

Serbia's best chances came just after Lukovic left the pitch. Milos Krasic forced a hurried save from Ghana keeper Richard Kingson and Nemanja Vidic fired at target at the 80th minute.

Bundled in Group D with powerhouse Germany, Ghana now stand a better chance to make it to the knockout stage.

The mastermind of the victory, Milovan Rajevic, is the second Serbian coach to lead a team against his home nation, after Blagoje Vidinic watched his Zaire side whitewashed by Yugolavia 9-0 in 1974.

Serbia coach Radomir Antic responded to the defeat with gracious manner, saying referee Hector Baldassi's decision in expelling Lukovic was without controversy.

"I didn't complain about that," he said.