The Group of Death at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals would finally kick off on the 5th day of the tournament as Germany, #2 in the FIFA rankings, squared off with #4 Portugal at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.
In what would certainly have been the most anticipated first round match-up (had it not been for the Spain v. Netherlands match a few days earlier), both teams looked to start out their difficult group with a victory.
In contrast to the Spanish defeat at the hands of the Dutch a few days earlier, the Germans destruction of the Portuguese was of a more methodical approach. Coming into the tournament with only one true striker on their squad (2nd all time leading scorer and SS Lazio forward Miroslav Klose) it was expected of the Germans to field a false 9 on the field.
This approach confused the Portuguese defense early on in the game as they struggled to keep up with the German midfielders switching positions and making overlapping runs.
Most of the early chances in the first four minutes belonged to Germany. With Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo failing to track back on defense, Bayern Munich fullback Jerome Boateng was afforded two easy runs down the right wing in quick succession.
Quickly though, Ronaldo would show his threat in the 5th minute as he latched onto a ball in the left of midfield and took off on a galloping run towards the left hand side of Manuel Neuer’s goal before picking out Hugo Almeida in the middle for a shot that would be saved by the Bayern Munich goalkeeper.
Shortly after, in the 6th minute, Ronaldo would took a shot from about 28 yards out that would go well over Germany’s goal and into the crowd. On the ensuing goal kick, Lahm received the ball in midfield before falling over and losing the ball to FC Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Miguel Veloso who would find Ronaldo in space on the left wing. Ronaldo raced towards the goal-line before blasting a shot near post from a tight angle that would easily be caught by Neuer.
Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira was gifted a fantastic chance at an open net after a sloppy back pass by Portugal forced Sporting CP goalkeeper Rui Patricio to chase it down from the right of the box to left, making an off-balance clearance in the process that landed right at Khedira’s feet. Fortunately for Portugal, Khedira’s effort skipped just inches wide of the left post.
A beautiful attacking move by the Germans would unlock the Portuguese defense in the 12th minute as Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil received a ball before playing a brilliant spinning back pass into the box to Mario Goetze. Goetze would be brought down by by Valencia defender Joao Pereria, winning Germany a penalty kick and a chance to open the scoring. Pereria was shown only a yellow card for his offense on the Bayern Munich midfielder.
Fellow Bayern man and 2010 Fifa World Cup Golden Boot winner Thomas Muller stepped up for the Germans and slotted the spot kick home low and to the keeper’s right to put Germany up 1-0.
In the 25th minute Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels would complete a textbook tackle on Almeida who had the possibility at starting a counter attack. Hummels made the tackle coming from the opposite side and sliding through before kicking the ball away and clattering into Almeida.
Hugo Almeida would take a knock in the tackle which he attempted to shake off. Sadly for him he couldn’t shake it and it was only minutes later before he would be replaced by Sporting Braga forward Eder.
The Germans would extend their lead in the 32nd minute when a corner taken from the right by FC Bayern man Toni Kroos swung outward towards the middle of the 6 yard box for Hummels to jump unmarked before blasting the header past Patricio and put the Germans up 2-0.
All chances of a comeback for Portugal were put to rest in the 37th minute when Pepe and Thomas Muller would get into a heated altercation. As Pepe looked to shield the ball, his right arm stretched out and seemed to hit Muller in the neck. Muller hit the deck and grabbed his face and Pepe, taking offense to Muller’s flop, charged back at the FC Bayern man before slightly headbutting him and saying a few choice words. The referee stepped in, and as sure as the sun comes up in the morning, Pepe had been sent off.
Germany would not rest on their laurels and would score another goal before the end of the half when Kroos’ ball into Muller would bounce straight up off the boot of Bruno Alves and land perfectly for the turning Muller to blast a left footed shot that would bounce up off of a diving Patricio and in.
The 2nd half would offer little to talk about in how the game would flow, with Germany controlling the game but looking happy as things stood. Portugal would offer a few minor sparks through the runs of Ronaldo and Nani, but offered little threat going forward.
Chelsea FC man Andre Schurrle would come on for Germany in the 63rd minute, making an impact later on in the game as he made key runs down the right wing for Germany.
Yeeeeeeeesssss!!!! Great first match, great team and great Müller hahaha #germany #WorldCup2014
— André Schürrle (@Andre_Schuerrle) June 16, 2014
Both teams would suffer key injuries to defenders in the 2nd half with Portugal and Real Madrid fullback Fabio Coentrao pulling up away from the ball with an apparent hamstring injury in the 63rd minute and Germany’s Mats Hummels falling victim to a muscle injury to his right leg only 9 minutes later in the 72nd minute.
Portugal would have a penalty shout in the 75th minute when Eder appeared to be clipped in the box by FC Schalke defender Benedikt Hoewedes but the Serbian referee Milorad Mazic waved off the protests. Ronaldo would chase the referee down nearly 25 yards before getting in his face and voicing his concern. The ref waved him off, and Ronaldo was lucky to escape without a yellow card.
The scoring was completed well after the result as Thomas Muller would complete his hat trick off of a goalkeeping error in the 78th minute. A cross put in by Chelsea man Andre Schurrle found its way into the six yard box where a diving Patricio failed to get more than just his fingertips on it. The ball would sit up perfectly for Muller for the easy tap in to make it 4-0 to Germany at full-time.
