Australia star Tim Cahill has escaped a two-game ban for his red card against Germany but he will miss the Socceroos’ next World Cup Group D game (Germany 1/5 to win the group).

The Everton midfielder was sent off for a challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger although even the German player felt it was a harsh decision.

So Cahill will sit out just one game – against Ghana on Saturday – before returning against Serbia on June 23, and he will have his fingers crossed the Aussies are still in contention for the second phase.

The Socceroos got off to a disappointing start after being beaten 4-0 by the Germans in Group D, with Ghana beating Serbia 1-0 in the other game.

The Australian Football Federation lodged a strong defence of Cahill’s 56th-minute dismissal, at which point the Germans (7/1 World Cup Outright) were 2-0 up.