2014 World Cup: Ghana's opponents Germany crush 10-man Portugal in Group G opener

Published on: 16 June 2014
2014 World Cup: Ghana's opponents Germany crush 10-man Portugal in Group G opener
Germany celebrating

Thomas Mueller marked his 50th international with a hat-trick as Germany strolled to a 4-0 World Cup victory over a Portugal side reduced to 10 men late in the first half of a disappointingly one-sided Group G match on Monday.

It had been expected to be a close game between two strong sides but Germany took control early on as Mueller scored a 12th-minute penalty after Mario Goetze was felled, before Mats Hummels powered a header from a corner after 32 minutes.

Portugal defender Pepe, furious at what he felt was "simulation" by Mueller following a slight collision between the two, was sent off after 37 minutes for pushing his head into the German's face as he sat on the ground.

Mueller lashed in the third in first-half stoppage time, and completed his treble with a 78th-minute tap-in after Germany had spurned a series of chances.

Teams:

Germany: Manuel Neuer; Jerome Boateng, Per Mertesacker, Mats Hummels, Benedikt Hoewedes, Sami Khedira, Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil, Mario Goetze.

Portugal: Rui Patricio; Joao Pereira, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Miguel Veloso, Fabio Coentrao, Raul Meireles, Joao Moutinho, Nani, Hugo Almeida, Cristiano Ronaldo.

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