"There are so many great teams at this tournament but we can compete with all of them," Klinsmann told reporters after his side went top of Group A with a 1-0 triumph.

"This was a big psychological lesson for us tonight. The players went at it for 90 minutes and even when we hit the crossbar twice in the last minute I still felt we were going to score.

"The team never lost faith and they forced the goal in the end. You could see tonight this team keeps going right until the end."

Klinsmann played down his masterstroke of bringing on Neuville and the fleet-footed David Odonkor in the second half, a switch which worked wonders when the pair combined to sink the Poles.

"They are both fast and that enabled us to play with such pace right until the final whistle," said Klinsmann.

"All these games at the World Cup are on a razor's edge and to have substitutes like that gives you more options. This was a squad victory."

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Neuville's winner sparked wild scenes of celebration in the German technical area, with Klinsmann roaring his approval into the night sky.

"All your joy comes out in that moment. It's hard to compare the emotions you have as a player with those when you are coach but this is the most special moment in the short coaching career I've had," said Klinsmann.

"This team is still growing together. I've always believed in them but you need wins to get everybody behind you.

"Now we go to Berlin to play Ecuador (on Tuesday) and we want to win for the 80,000 fans who'll be there."