The midfielder helped his country to knock out the co-hosts and book Germany's place in the quarter finals of the tournament with his strike in the 49th minute. 

Ballack scored a spectacular goal after Philipp Lahm was tripped by Ivan Ivanschitz early into the second half, and the Germans were awarded a free-kick.

His effort was enough to secure the Germans' passage in to the final eight as the Austrians, featuring Middlesbrough's Emmanuel Pogatetz, were unable to find a reply.

It is Croatia who will accompany Germany in to the knock out stages after they beat Poland 1-0, thanks to an Ivan Klasnic strike.

Klasnic's 52nd minute goal secured top spot in Group B and sent the Poles crashing out of the tournament.