Germany showed off with a crushing 4-0 win over Portugal in the World Cup 2014 on Monday.
Thomas Mueller scored a hat trick as Germany turned to it's superior form and function to easily do away with 10-man Portugal 4-0 in their World Cup Group G opener. A Group that also includes the US and Ghana and has been billed the 'group of Death', lived up to it's hype. The US and Ghana face off at 6 pm EST, Monday.
Mueller, who led the 2010 World Cup with five goals, was ruthless against a weak Portugal team that was clearly outplayed despite the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mueller scored with a 12th-minute penalty kick and added a second goal just before halftime as the Portuguese defense failed to deal with a pass. In the second half, he knocked in a ball that goalkeeper Rui Patricio couldn't reach. Mats Hummels added Germany's other goal in the 32nd minute with a header.
According to CBS Sports, Portugal looked like the best team for ten minutes, but it was all Germany after that. The Germans looked like they could score at will for most of the game.
Fábio Coentrão had Portugal's best chance within three minutes of Mueller's second goal, but he was indecisive whether to cross or shoot from a tight angle and his last-minute, tame effort was poked behind for a corner. Soon after that, the notoriously tempermental Pepe was charged with headbutting Mueller.
For the rest of the time, Germany looked like the World Cup favorite many projected, while Portugal is now in a major hole heading into Sunday's match against the United States. The goal differential is -4, Ronaldo was neutralized and frustrated (which could actually be a bad thing for the US), Pepe is suspended, while Fabio Coentrao and Hugo Almeida are now injured.
One of the most anticipated matches of the early rounds is in the books, and as lopsided as it was, it had some drama and set the stage for an exciting world cup!
More Highlights from the game can be found here.
Here is a video of Pepe's headbutt of Mueller, that got the defender ejected.
