MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 13:41:39| >> :120:16311:16311:
[monks data]
Attendance: 51,081
Germany national football team
World Cup | Group Stage
Jun 16, 2014 at 5pm UK
 
Portugal national football team

4-0

Muller (12' pen., 45+1', 78'), Hummels (32')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Pepe (37')

Germany thrash sorry Portugal

Germany earn a comfortable 4-0 win over 10-man Portugal to get their World Cup campaign up and running.

A Thomas Muller hat-trick has given Germany a comfortable 4-0 victory over 10-man Portugal in their opening match of the World Cup.

Thomas Muller celebrates scoring his hattrick for Germany in their World Cup opening game against Portugal on June 16, 2014.© Getty Images

Portugal had the first opening of the match on seven minutes following a frantic start, but Cristiano Ronaldo's effort from a tight angle was kept out by Manuel Neuer.

Germany nearly scored at the other end just a minute later after Rui Patricio's scuffed clearance went straight to Sami Khedira, though the midfielder could only fire off target from distance.

The Germans eventually made the breakthrough with 11 minutes on the clock as Joao Pereira brought down Mario Gotze inside the box, allowing Muller to sweep his penalty past Patricio.

Thomas Muller scores from the penalty spot to give Germany the lead against Portugal in their World Cup Group G match in Salvador on June 16, 2014© Getty Images

Both teams showed plenty of attacking intent for the remainder of the half, and Portugal nearly grabbed an equaliser on 26 minutes when Nani shot narrowly over from the edge of the area.

Despite an even opening, Germany took control of the contest with 31 minutes played thanks to Mats Hummels's powerful header from a corner.

Portugal's evening got worse on 36 minutes when Pepe was shown a straight red card after a confrontation with Muller.

Portugal's Pepe headbutts Thomas Mueller of Germany during their World Cup encounter on June 16, 2014.© Getty Images

The defender took exception to what he believed was an over-reaction from the forward following an earlier clash, but the referee had no option other than to send him off after he went into his opponent with his head.

Germany took advantage of the extra man by extending their lead further on the stroke of half time as Muller was picked out by Gotze before supplying a ruthless finish from inside the box.

While the first half was full of action, there was a more subdued pace to the second period as Germany looked to conserve their energy.

A dejected Cristiano Ronaldo walks away after Portugal lose 4-0 to Germany in their World Cup opener on June 16, 2014.© AFP

The three-time champions could have made it 4-0 when Mesut Ozil was denied by Patricio from close range before Muller headed the rebound over the crossbar as Portugal struggled to make an impact.

Portugal rarely threatened their opponents, and Germany almost found the net again with 20 minutes left to play, but Gotze wasted a decent opening by shooting over from 12 yards.

Despite Germany's dominance, the Portuguese managed to carve open a chance soon after when Nani's stinging drive was palmed away by Neuer.

However, Germany had the final say as Muller pounced from close range to complete his hat-trick with just over 10 minutes remaining.

ID:160228: cacheID:160228:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6745:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Thomas Muller scores from the penalty spot to give Germany the lead against Portugal in their World Cup Group G match in Salvador on June 16, 2014
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Germany in control against Portugal
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!