A hat trick from Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller helped his German side comfortably beat a ten men Portugal side. Germany, a typical pre-tournament favourite at the bookmakers, didn’t look like they went into second gear at all as they cruised to victory.
Germany took the lead after eleven minutes after Joao Pereira brought down Mario Gotze in the box, and his Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Muller cooly slotted in the spot kick from 12 yards out.
The Germans could have taken the lead just a few minutes before they after Portugal ‘keeper Rui Patricio’s loose pass went to midfield maestro Sami Khedira, and the Turkish-born German’s shot just went wide of the post.
Then it all kicked off less than ten minutes before half time as the pantomime villain himself Pepe got sent off after a clash with goalscorer Thomas Muller and left his side down to ten men. Muller played the part on an injured player and his theatrics certainly helped the referee decide to send Pepe off.
Thomas Muller made it three just before the half time break and essentially ended Portugal hopes and chances of getting anything from the game.
Portugal’s chances decreased even more as Fabio Coentrao had to be stretchered off with what looked like a groin injury.
The man of the moment Muller got his hat trick on his 50th cap after substitute Andre Schurrle low pass across the face of the goal and Patricio pushed it in the way of Muller and he scored probably the easiest goal of his career. Muller has now scored eight goals in his World Cup career, from just nine shots on target. He has potential to eclipse Brazil superstar Ronaldo and his German teammate Miroslav Klose in becoming the top goal scorer in World Cup history.
This was probably the worst start that the Portuguese side would have hoped for as they lost a couple of key men for their group stage and Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t his impressive self. The Germans have shown themselves to be real tournament contenders and this performance will strike fear into their opposition. The result will also give Ghana and the United States real hope of making it through past the group stages.
Germany XI; Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Per Mertesacker, Mats Hummels, Benedikt Howedes, Phillip Lahm, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze.
Subs; Ron-Robert Zieler, Kevin Grosskreutz, Matthias Ginter, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Andre Schurrle, Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Julian Draxler, Erik Durm, Shkordran, Christoph Kramer, Roman Weidenfeld.
Portugal XI; Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao, Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Raul Meireles, Nani, Hugo Almeida, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Subs; Eduardo, William Carvalho, Veirininha, Eder, Ricardo Costa, Luis Neto, Rafa Silva, Silvestre Varela, Andre Almeida, Ruben Amorim, Helder Postiga, Beto.